There are several key water management institutions in Sri Lanka, including both government and non-government organizations. The major government institutions are the National Water Supply & Drainage Board, Irrigation Department, Water Resource Board, and Mahaweli Authority. The National Water Supply & Drainage Board oversees drinking water supply and drainage systems. The Irrigation Department manages surface irrigation schemes. The Water Resource Board collects water resources data and undertakes groundwater projects. The Mahaweli Authority implements large irrigation projects. Major non-government organizations involved in water management include the International Water Management Institute, which conducts research to improve water and land resources management, and Lanka Jalani, which promotes integrated water resources management.

1. Water Management Institutional bodies
in Sri Lanka
C.M.K. Liyanage
AG/3009/2786
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2. Page of contents
Introduction 3
Water Management Institutions-Government 4
The National Water Supply & Drainage Board 4
Irrigation Department 6
Water Resource Board 8
Mahaweli Authority 10
Water Management Institutions, non-Government 11
International Water Management Institute 11
Lanka Jalani 13
References 14
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3. Water Management Institutional bodies in Sri Lanka
Introduction
Water is the most important natural resource which keeps the world alive. Not only
do we humans use it just about every day, but every living thing needs it to live. It has helped
form the Earth as we know it, and it covers over 70% of the Earth surface.
Water management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and
managing the optimum use of water resources. In an ideal world, water management
planning has regard to all the competing demands for water and seeks to allocate water on an
equitable basis to satisfy all uses and demands. The institutions which are related with such
kind of activities, called as “Water management Institutions.”
Water management is not a new concept for Sri Lankans. For the centuries, our
ancient people were engaging in large scale irrigation projects with their amazing water
management technologies and even now a days we can take benefits from them. But in the
last 2 decades, in here Sri Lanka “Water Management” is became very critical concept and
sometimes it caused to even change the ruling parties of the government of Sri Lanka.
Normally we can see two different types of water management institutions in Sri
Lanka. They are government institutions and non government institutions. Basically the legal
frame work of the water management is regulating by the government institutions and
distributing the water is also done by government while most of NGOs engage with
surveying, research, conservation and acknowledging the community about sustainable use of
water resource.
Water
Management
Institutions
Government Non Government
The National International Water
Water Supply & Management
Drainage Board Institute (IWMI)
Irrigation Lanka Jalani
Department
Water Resources
Board
Mahawali
Authority
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4. Water Management Institutions-Government
According to above chart there are several government Institutional bodies which are
engaging with water management of Sri Lanka. The National Water Supply & Drainage
Board is related with drinking water supply and drainage systems of Sri Lanka, while the
irrigation sector is governed by the Ministry of Irrigation & Water Resources Management.
As in most Asian countries, irrigation is the largest water user in Sri Lanka accounting
for about 90% of the total water use. The total irrigated area in the country is about 0.6
million hectares. The irrigation sector consists of major surface irrigation schemes with
command areas over 400 hectares, medium schemes with command areas of 80–400 hectares
and minor schemes with command areas less than 80 hectares. The larger schemes are
administered by the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority. The medium
schemes are administered by the provincial councils and the minor schemes are supposed to
be maintained by farmers with technical guidance of the Provincial Irrigation Departments
(PIDs).
1. The National Water Supply & Drainage Board-under the
Ministry of Water Supply & Drainage
Vision- “To be the most prestigious utility organization in Sri Lanka through industry and
service section.”
Mission-“Serve the nation by providing sustainable water and sanitation ensuring total user
satisfaction.”
Goals-
Goal 1 - Increase the water supply and sanitation coverage
Goal 2 - Improve Business Efficiency
Goal 3 - Improve services to customers and promptly attend to public complaints
Goal 4 - Promote Information and Communication Technology solutions as a catalyst
for business growth
Goal 5 - Ensure greater accountability and transparency
Goal 6 - Promote Human Resource Development
Goal 7 - Facilitate safe drinking water supply and sanitation to rural and underserved
communities
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5. The National Water Supply & Drainage Board had its beginning as a sub department
under the Public Works Department with responsibility for the water supply and drainage
systems of Sri Lanka. From 1965, it functioned as a division under various ministries until
January 1975 when it was converted to a Statutory Board by an Act of Parliament.
The National Water Supply & Drainage Board functions under the Ministry of Water
Supply & Drainage. This Ministry was established in 2007 separately for the subject area of
water supply & drainage. Also, the National Water Supply & Drainage Board is the only
organization coming under the purview of this Ministry. Around 80% of the population has
access to safe drinking water of which 30% is through piped water supply systems of the
National Water Supply & Drainage Board.
The National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB), which presently functions
under the Ministry of Water Supply & Drainage, is the principal authority providing safe
drinking water and facilitating the provision of sanitation in Sri Lanka. In accordance with
the Board Act, several major Urban Water Supply Schemes operated by Local Authorities
were taken over by the NWSDB to provide more coverage and improved service. Consumer
metering & billing commenced in 1982. Rural Water Supply & Sanitation programs
including deep well programs are also being implemented by the NWSDB.
During the past 36 years, the organization has considerably expanded its scope of
activities. The employee numbers have increased from about one thousand (1,000) in 1975 to
nine thousand and thirteen (9,013) in 2010.
The NWSDB is presently operating 312 Water Supply Schemes which cover 39% of
the total population with pipe borne Water Supply, 12% of the population is served with hand
pump tube wells. We hope to increase the coverage with pipe borne water to 45.7% by 2015
so that the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of 85% safe drinking water
coverage can be achieved by that year. The NWSDB is also in charge of the sewerage
systems in Colombo & suburbs, Hantane, Koggala, Hikkaduwa, Kataragama and in few
housing schemes.
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6. 2. Irrigation Department
Irrigation Department, in existence from 1900, is the premium water resource
development organization in Sri Lanka. It created productive farmlands out of the thick
malarial jungles that once covered most of the island.
VISION OF THE IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT
"Not a single drop of water flow in to the sea without being used for the mankind"
King Maha Parakramabahu the Great-1153-1186 AD
MISSION OF THE IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT
The Irrigation Department is responsible for planning, design, construction, operation and
management of all major and medium Irrigation schemes and work related to flood control,
drainage and salinity extrusion.
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7. Subjects and Functions
Formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programmes in respect of
Irrigation, Reservoirs and Water Management.
Irrigation and drainage work
Salt water exclusion schemes
Rain water harvesting
Flood protection
Prevention of the pollution of rivers, streams and other watercourses
Promotion, construction, operation and Maintenance of schemes of irrigation,
drainage, flood control
Engineering Consultancy Services and Construction
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8. 3. Water Resources Board (WRB)
Established in 1966 the WRB, collects data and information on Water Resources for advisory
purposes, and undertakes Hydro geological investigation and Groundwater development
projects. This institution has developed capacity to handle ground water resources
development.
Vision
Adequate access to clean and safe water for all
Mission
To advise the government and the people and make necessary regulations & laws on
assessing, conserving, harnessing, developing and frugally utilizing water resources in the
country; and to implement the same in close collaboration with the rural society, relevant
national and provincial level government institutions, private sector, international
organizations and scientific communities here and abroad.
To ensure that the society today doesn’t pollute the water of future.
To be self dependent.
Objectives - Long term /Medium term/ Short term
Research contributions supportive of the formation of national policies in respect of water
resources development, exploration and sustainable exploitation with quality maintenance
for multipurpose utilization and meeting social, economic and environmental needs.
In reinforcement of objective (1), systematic and accurate data collection and maintenance
of scientific data in relation to the water resources of the country.
Involvement of:
(a) regional, that is, relevant local government authorities;
(b) national and international organizations in regard to the knowledge transfer and
information exchange and
(c) other scientific investigations relating to water resources of the country.
Awareness creation in the civil society about the importance of safe and sustainable use of
water, and its responsibility on keeping the water unpolluted for future.
Assessment of the possible benefits and economic feasibility of projects
suggested/undertaken by those referred to in item 3 above, relating to the sustainable
exploitation of water resources of the country.
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9. Setting up of an Inter-departmental Advisory Committee to reinforce greater mutual
understanding for collaborative action where necessary, in relation to the above intended
functions of the Water Resources Board (WRB), as per the Water Resources Board act.
Commencement of Water Bottling Project and other commercial ventures to
(a). Meet the self dependency and not to be a burden to the treasury.
(b). To set industrial standards on the same.
Values
To undertake dedicated research bringing scientific truth into the surface.
To attempt to unearth the magnanimous and unbelievably simple practices of
sustainability approach of our forefathers for the benefit of the present and the future
generation.
To respect the view points of recognized organizations and eminent scholars of relevance
in conducting collaborative research.
To strive to disseminate accurate information to the relevant administrative bodies,
scientific community and the civil society.
To adhere to good governance, transparency and accountability.
To maintain high degree of impartiality.
And abstain from destructive criticism to foster constructive criticism.
To be disciplined in the delivery of all our service functions.
To be proactive rather than reactive.
To increase productivity of the organization.
To promote team work within the organization.
To be self sufficient, financially.
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10. 4. Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka
Mahaweli Development Programme envisages for development of 365,000 ha. of land for
agriculture in 13 Systems identified in Mahaweli Master Plan in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. It
was planned for the construction of a series of reservoirs with hydro electricity plants and to
develop a large extent of land with irrigation facilities, for establishment of new settlements
and agriculture development.
Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka was established in 1979 in Parliament Act with a mandate
to implement the Mahaweli Development Programme. Presently, its task is to plan and
develop balance area proposed by Master Plan and Gazetted areas and maintenance &
rehabilitation of irrigation net work, land administration, increase agricultural production and
post settlement activities. Further, MASL is responsible for managing irrigation water for
180,962 ha. of Irrigable land in the dry zone. At present, MASL is responsible for managing
irrigation water for 175,000 ha. of Irrigable land In the dry zone.
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11. Water Management Institutions, non-Government
1. International Water Management Institute
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non-profit research organization
with headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and offices across Africa and Asia. Research at the
Institute focuses on improving how water and land resources are managed, with the aim of
underpinning food security and reducing poverty while safeguarding vital environmental
processes.
As water becomes scarcer, there is a growing need to find ways to produce sufficient food to
feed the world’s expanding population, while using less water, safeguarding fragile
environmental services and without having much opportunity to open up new agricultural
lands. The Institute undertakes research projects with this aim in mind.
Its research focuses on: water availability and access, including adaptation to climate change;
how water is used and how it can be used more productively; water quality and its
relationship to health and the environment; and how societies govern their water resources.
Part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), IWMI is
about to expand its collaborative work within its parent organisation under a new 'mega
program' known as CGIAR Research Project 5. This will widen its focus to Water,
Ecosystems and Land.
IWMI is one of 15 international research centers supported by the network of 60
governments, private foundations and international and regional organizations collectively
known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is a
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12. non-profit organization with a staff of 350 and offices in over 10 countries across Asia and
Africa and Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
IWMI's Mission is to improve the management of land and water resources for food,
livelihoods and the environment.
IWMI's Vision, reflected in the Strategic Plan is water for a food-secure world.
IWMI targets water and land management challenges faced by poor communities in
the developing world/or in developing countries and through this contributes towards the
achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing poverty, hunger
and maintaining a sustainable environment. These are also the goals of the CGIAR.
Research is the core activity of IWMI. The research agenda is organized around four priority
Themes including Water Availability and Access; Productive Water Use; Water Quality,
Health and Environment; and Water and Society. Cross cutting activities in all themes
include, assessment of land and water productivity and their relationship to poverty,
identification of interventions that improve productivity as well as access to and sustainability
of natural resources, assessment of the impacts of interventions on productivity, livelihoods,
health and environmental sustainability.
IWMI works through collaborative research with many partners in the North and South and
targets policy makers, development agencies, individual farmers and private sector
organizations.
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13. 2. Lanka Jalani
Lanka Jalani is an independent nonprofit association with a goal of promoting
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in line with the concepts and principles
outlined at international for a such as Rio, Dublin & 1st & 2nd World Water Forums. It is an
initiative supported by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Membership is open and
inclusive and currently represents a wide range of stakeholder interests. It has taken the
initiative in developing a Water Vision 2025 for Sri Lanka in the year 2000 and a program for
Action (PFA) to translate the vision to action has been developed. It has set up Area Water
Partnerships (AWP) Youth networks and other basin level institutions to support River Basin
Management (RBM) and IWRM in Sri Lanka. Area Water Partnerships provide the local
institutional base for representation & action at local level while the Country Water
Partnership (CWP) and associated CEO panel provides the forum for policy level dialogue of
these issues for consideration at national level. Both levels encourage close interaction among
groups of stakeholders for purposes of harmonizing approaches and integrating issues.
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14. References
1. http://www.commonwealth-of-
nations.org/Sri_Lanka/Organisation/Government/Government_Ministries/Ministry_of_Irrig
ation_and_Water_Resources_Developme
2. http://www.irrigation.gov.lk/index.html
3. http://www.wrb.gov.lk/web/
4. http://www.irrigationmin.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113
&Itemid=85&lang=en
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Water_Management_Institute
6. http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/About_IWMI/Overview.aspx
7. http://www.lankajalani.org/index.html
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