DSWRPP website launched

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The launching of the official website of the Dam Safety and Water Resource Planning Project (DSWRPP) took place at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo under the patronage of Mahaweli Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The Government launched Dam Safety and Water Resource Planning Project in 2008. The World Bank funded project inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Under the DSWRPP project, old reservoirs will be repaired.

Sustainable institutional arrangements for safety management and operations and maintenance of major dams in Sri Lanka will also be established under this project.

The total project costs US $ 71.66 million, of which the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary lending arm, will give credit of US $ 65.33 million and the Government contributes US $ 6.33 million. It is necessary to save valuable ancient reservoirs for the future. Due to lack of funds previous Governments couldn't maintain dams and reservoirs.

The World Bank has formulated a new assistance strategy for Sri Lanka in consultation with the Government and the people. This assistance strategy holds high in its agenda of water resources management and development as they are central of sustainable growth and poverty reduction, especially in the regions lagging behind on development, said Minister Maithripala Sirisena.