Drinking water supply and sanitation projects in Anuradhapura district implemented by the Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry at a cost of Rs.500 million are progressing, Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said. He said the project implemented with the participation of 90 community based organisations will be completed in three phases and nearly 18,669 families in the Rajarata will benefit. Minister Gunawardane was speaking at the progressive meeting at Anuradhapura Jayanthi Viharaya. A large number of community based organisation leaders participated. Favourable factors and obstacles arisen in implementing such projects were discussed in depth. Minister Gunawardane said the drinking water supply projects are functioning in 80 Grama Niladari Divisions in the district uninterruptedly. The Minister said the role of community based institutions is the key to development. He said those in Rajarata who underwent immense difficulties in searching for pure drinking water will soon have pure drinking water at their doorsteps on the completion of the projects. He also noted that kidney disease has become a serious issue in the North Central and Eastern Provinces due to polluted water. It is hoped to minimise the number of persons affected with kidney disease through the water supply projects. Over three million people have been part of this programme. It will soon rise to five million, he added. He said a force linking such 3,400 community drinking water supply projects will be set up throughout the country. Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena said pure drinking water is an urgent need to the Rajarata community.