Enhancing Access to Safe Drinking Water in Nuwara Eliya: A-PAD Partners with Wine to Water and Airlink to Support Local Schools
A-PAD SL, in partnership with Wine to Water and with logistical support from Airlink, has successfully distributed 500 water filters to schools across four Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District: Nuwara Eliya, Walapane, Nildandahinna, and Kotmale.
During a recent post-Cyclone Ditwah field assessment, A-PAD identified that many communities in Nuwara Eliya continue to face challenges in accessing clean and safe drinking water, with water sources affected and supply systems disrupted. To address these heightened needs, the initiative focused on supporting schools, where children and staff are particularly vulnerable to water-borne illnesses due to limited access to purified water. In addition to the schools, a set of water filters was also distributed to a safety centre in Nuwara Eliya to further support vulnerable groups within the community.
To ensure sustainable and proper use, A-PAD provided hands-on training on the operation and maintenance of the water filters. During the sessions, participants were also invited to demonstrate the use of the filters provided to them, reinforcing practical understanding and long-term confidence. The distribution events saw strong engagement from principals, teachers, school development officers, and students, who participated in the training sessions and expressed appreciation for the support provided.
These activities are part of A-PAD’s ongoing commitment to strengthen community resilience and improve health outcomes through sustainable access to safe water. A-PAD extends its gratitude to Wine to Water for its generosity in the provision filters and to Airlink for facilitating the transport logistics that made this distribution possible. A-PAD also extends its appreciation to A-PAD Management Office Japan in support of emergency response in Sri Lanka.
The initiative was warmly welcomed by local authorities and school principals across the four DS divisions, who expressed their appreciation for prioritising schools in the post-Ditwah response. With educational continuity remaining a key concern following the cyclone, ensuring access to safe drinking water within schools was recognised as both timely and essential. The provision of water filters not only supports the immediate health and well-being of students and teachers, but also contributes to creating safer, more stable learning environments – enabling children to return to and remain in school with confidence.
