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by Tharika Goonathilake

Plans are afoot to establish a National Water Museum, the first of its kind in the region, which will showcase Sri Lanka's rich and ancient water heritage.

The final conceptual report of the Museum, highlighting its funding and operational aspects will be handed over to Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Gamini Jayawickrema Perera on April 30.

A special area in Minneriya, is seen as the most likely site to be selected but suggestions have also been made to consider areas in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and even Colombo.

The idea for the Museum is the brainchild of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) Additional General Manager Nihal Rupasinghe.

According to a CECB official, a Museum of this nature was imperative for Sri Lanka, given the country's diverse water heritage as well as the need to document its vital irrigational aspects.

"Sri Lanka lacks a central place where historic aspects of our water heritage is documented or even highlighted. We lack an exhibition component for this vital area although there are several Museums in the country highlighting Sri Lanka's other historical features," he said.

The Museum, to be built on a 100 acre site, will also comprise a library, data base facility and a research centre. It will be run by a National Water Foundation, which is also to be established under the project.

" Sigiriya, Parakrama Samudraya, Minneriya are historical irrigation systems that boast of the country's water heritage. It is something that we can be proud of. However, we are yet to develop the potential of this heritage either as a tourist attraction or as a vital base for research locally or internationally," he pointed out.

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