A water supply programme to provide fresh drinking water for residents in Batticaloa district has been expedited. Under this programme, the Unnichchai drinking water programme has been given priority, Water Supply and Drainage Board, Batticaloa Engineer D.A. Pragash said. This programme is implemented under the patronage of the Asian Development Bank. The Unnichchai anicut has also been raised five feet high. Nearly 75 per cent of construction works of the anicut has already been completed. Water obtained from the Unnichchai tank will be issued to Batticaloa, Kattankudi, Eravur Chenkalady and Arayampathy after purification at Vavunativu, he said