Following Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025, A-PAD Sri Lanka, in collaboration with partner organizations, installed ROAM filter Plus water purifiers in schools and evacuation facilities in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts.

In the previous article, we introduced the water supply support that A-PAD Sri Lanka implemented in collaboration with partner organizations. In this article, we will share feedback from school staff, local residents, and local government officials who have had water purifiers installed.

School Staff

At Thelbedda No.01 Tamil Vidyalaya in Badulla district, securing safe drinking water had been a challenge. The school principal commented “Thanks to the water purifiers, students now have access to safe drinking water. The training on installation and maintenance was easy to understand, and they are now able to use the water purifiers with confidence.”

Community Members

Residents living in evacuation shelters in Badulla province shared “For families living in this camp, access to safe drinking water was a serious concern. The water available was different from what we were used to in our hometown – it was contaminated with impurities and unsuitable for cooking or drinking. The installation of water purifiers has improved our lives.”

Water purifier installation at the camp

Local Government Staff

“One of the biggest challenges in the Kotmale East district is the lack of access to clean drinking water. This problem has persisted for a long time, even before the cyclone, due to fecal contamination of water sources. This water purification support will greatly contribute to reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.”

In addition to installing the water purifiers, A-PAD also provided training on usage and maintenance at the distribution sites. The team created manuals in three languages – Sinhala, Tamil, and English – to ensure that communities could continue to utilize the water purifiers.

A-PAD Sri Lanka staff member demonstrating how to use a water purifier to local residents and students

A-PAD Sri Lanka will continue to work with partner organizations to monitor the utilization of water purifiers and to contribute to building disaster-resilient communities.