HNB’s safe drinking water and sanitation programme was extended to Norachcholai, a village in the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in Puttalam District. About 600 people from 100 families living around the Norachcholai Economic Centre lacked access to a safe source of water. The only water available was salty and metallic. The plight of these villagers was brought to the notice of the Bank by the HNB Puttalam team and the project was undertaken as part of HNB’s community development initiatives.

With the support of the local authorities HNB was able to identify a safe water source. A new tank was constructed with a pump and pipes were laid out to supply water right upto the village. To increase the convenience of collecting water 40 taps have been set up approx 50 meters apart in the village. The tank was formally handed over to the villagers on 29 April 2009 at a function held at the Norachcholai Economic Centre.
 
The Puttalam project was the 4th in a series of initiatives by the Bank following the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of providing safe drinking water. The first three projects under this scheme were launched in Siruthopu (a village in Mannar District), Araly (a village in Jaffna District) & Gonewa (a village in Anuradhapura District)

The HNB Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation Project is initiated with the guidance of Mr. J.R.P.M. Paiva, Deputy General Manager – HR & Administration who is heading the CSR initiative of the bank to provide safe drinking water. The Hatton National Bank plans to initiate similar projects in Vakarai and Kataragama in the near future.