Irrigation is the backbone of Sri Lanka's rural development

Lionel WIJESIRI

Much of Sri Lanka's success in achieving near self-sufficiency in rice production can be attributed to the irrigation sector. However, as the target shifts from attaining to maintaining current levels of rice self-sufficiency and enhancing the productivity of the irrigated land base, the role of the sector is bound to change. Is the irrigation sector in Sri Lanka adapting well to this new situation? What will be the future?

To evaluate the changes that are happening in our irrigation sector and to examine trends in government investment, I met Secretary of the Ministry of Irrigation Eng. Ivan de Silva a few days ago.

A friendly and soft-spoken man, Ivan took me across his decades-old experience in irrigation projects in which he was involved.

He joined the Department as an Irrigation Engineer and rose up to the highest level in ministry. He thus has the inside knowledge from ground level upwards and can handle any issue at realistic level. He has a vision and a commitment to reach it.

Ivan started the conversation going back to the past. "After Independence the main emphasis of all governments was on agricultural development through the renovation of ancient irrigation works and resettlement of the landless population in the dry zone. Many irrigation systems have been rehabilitated mainly to bring back land under cultivation and to assure more reliable water supplies to farm lands".

"We had a number of modernization projects, starting from Tank Irrigation Modernization project in 70s to National Irrigation Rehabilitation project in 90s. However, many of these rehabilitation projects have not contributed much to increase water delivery and water use efficiency through management innovations."

Current Projects

Ivan then came back to the modern era and began talking about the current irrigation development projects in operation. "Now the war is over, the North and East are peaceful. Development programs in these areas have already begun. If I particularly speak of Jaffna Peninsula, the Government is focusing attention to implement the Jaffna Lagoon Reconstruction Program.

Thirteen earth bunds are being reconstructed in the Thondamanaru lagoon and in the Ariyalai dam site. The objective is to obtain adequate quantities of fresh water for cultivation purposes in the Jaffna Peninsula."

"Construction works are in progress with an allocation of Rs. 138 million for entire irrigation projects in the Jaffna district, under the "Uthuru Vasanthaya". These areas have a great potential in paddy and other crop cultivation. Under the Upparu lagoon development project the Ariyalai baraage is nearing completion and a separate dam will be constructed." "The Government has taken several measures to reconstruct, renovate the irrigation system in the Northern Province. Several irrigation tanks in the Vavuniya district are renovated including the Pirappanmaduwa, Kanakkayagama paving the way for the Southern families to resettle in these areas. They were forced to flee due to LTTE threats."

"Another new irrigation project - Varukkai Aru Scheme has been initiated at a cost of Rs. 100 million."

"Also we have a program to provide irrigation facilities to the Mannar District by rehabilitating the Giant's Tank. The program was to provide irrigation facilities to 7,000 acres of land which had been abandoned for the past 20 years due to the terrorist activities in the area. The program covered clearing the land and restoring the tanks and canal systems of the Musali area in the Mannar District. Under this program the Department of Irrigation will clear and provide irrigation facilities for the cultivation of 1,700 acres of land in the Maha season while the total acreage of 7,000 will be made ready for cultivation prior to the 2010-2011 Maha cultivation seasons."

Northern Province

"There are a number of other irrigation mega projects underway. We have projects to harness the waters of the Menik Ganga, Deduru Oya, Rambukkan Oya, Kirama Oya, Walave Ganga and Dambulu Oya for agricultural and drinking purposes in the dry zones. The work is moving on smoothly without hindrance."

"A year ago, we completed the Menik Ganga project. It diverted water to Weheragala and over 18,000 farmer families, in the Lunugamvehera area, benefitted because they can now cultivate both in the Yala and Maha seasons." "We started Deduru Oya diversification project was launched three years ago projecting a cost of Rs 6,200 million. It was funded locally. When the main dam is completed, the reservoir will hold 75 million cubic metres of water to irrigate 25,000 acres of paddy. It is also planned generate 15 Mega Watts of Hydro Power to the National Grid."

"In Kekiri Obada Project in the Tangalle electorate, the water is diverted from the tributary of the Kirama Oya. This project was launched in 2005. Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) granted us Rs. 275 million for its implementation. There will be over 3800 acres available for cultivation and sufficient drinking water available once the scheme is completed. Nearly 90 per cent of the project has been completed." "The Wemedilla Reservoir Project will use water of the Dambulu Oya. Once again, JBIC is providing us the funds. Once completed, the farmer community could cultivate nearly 1,800 acres of paddy during both Yala and the Maha."

"Another project is the Weli Oya Project. It will draw the waters of the left bank of the tributary of the Walawe River. We started the project just two years ago. The beauty of this project is that it has an underground channel carrying water to feed 50 minor tanks in the district enabling it to supply water to 2,000 acres of paddy land. The water from the reservoir will be carried to a distance of 25 kilometres to Hambegamuwa tank which has the capacity to hold 1.25 million cubic metres of water."

"The Uma Oya project to provide water to farmers in the Moneragala District is yet in the designing stage. The work is progressing rapidly."

"So you see," he paused, "There are many projects going on. These large scale projects will have a lasting impact on the development of the regions and the river basins. There contribution to overall economy will be quite significant."

Ivan extended his gratitude to the Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapaksa for guidance and encouragement given and to his staff from Director General downwards for the relentless work they do to reach the goals.

Master Plan

Talking about the future of the irrigation sector, Ivan presented three concepts which he believed would be beneficial for the country's progress.

First, he stressed the need for a Water Resources Master Plan for Sri Lanka covering the next 25 years. Such a plan will assure the optimum water resources use and provide the appropriate development scenarios on short and long term basis in meeting the predicted social-economic demand over a wide range of water activities.

Ivan's second point relates to his first one. He calls it "integrated water resource management. It is the practice of making decisions and taking actions while considering multiple viewpoints of how water should be managed. Integrated water resources management considers the viewpoints of water management agencies with specific purposes, governmental and stakeholder groups and geographic regions like Provincial Councils. In general, water agencies deal with water supply, wastewater and water quality services, storm water and flood control, hydropower, navigation, recreation, and water for the environment, fish, livestock and wildlife. Ivan believes that eventually there should be fully-fledged Authority to be in charge of the Water Resource Management in Sri Lanka.

Ivan's third point concentrates on the dietary pattern of the average Sri Lankan. He said, "We must change our hereditary and dietary patterns. By heritage, we are more dependent of rice as our staple food and it is time we begin changing this pattern. Nutritionist call it "nutritional transition' meaning a shift away from our traditional diet towards a more balanced one consisting little rice but ample vegetables, fruits and other grains. Change in consumption will eventually change our cultivation patterns making it affordable for the common man to buy alternative food at affordable price. End result is a healthier nation".

Today the Government has well understood the role irrigation plays in the development of the country and is therefore taking all necessary steps required to achieve higher productivity and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. By doing so, we can be assured that in future too, irrigation remains the backbone of rural and agricultural development, just as it has been in the past.