Contacts In Colombo: Chulie De Silva (94-11) 5561-323 cdesilva@worldbank.org (94-11) 5561-323 In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458-4735 enora@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, March 27, 2008: In support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts to ensure the safety of the public from risks of ageing dams and to manage its water resources, the World Bank today approved a US$65.33 million credit for the Sri Lanka Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning Project. The project aims to improve the operational efficiency of 80 dams and to establish sustainable institutional arrangements for safety management and operations and maintenance of major dams in the country. Special attention will be paid to the safety of 32 of the 80 dams that have been categorized as high risk. The project will support the preparation of a National Water Use Plan by updating the Mahaweli Water Resources Development Plan, which entails the preparation of a Water Resources Development Plan for Mundeni Aru River Basin. Feasibility studies of priority water development options will also be undertaken. “Improving the institutional capacity for integrated and multi-sectoral water resources planning and prioritization of water resources development investments is critical for Sri Lanka’s development,” said Naoko Ishii, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka. “The damage caused by the tsunami disaster has deepened the need and urgency for the country to protect the public from natural disasters,”she added. Many of Sri Lanka’s 350 medium and large dams are ageing and have structural deficiencies and shortcomings in operation and monitoring facilities. Set up centuries ago, the wide irrigation and water resources systems have contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth and have sustained human settlements, particularly in rural areas. Dams, barrages, reservoirs, trans-basin canals, and irrigation systems serve the critical energy and human and environmental water supply needs of the country. In addition, they provide flood control in the river basins. “Physical and analytical infrastructure for monitoring hydro-meteorological data, enabling detection and forecasting of water hazards are essential prerequisites for the implementation of early warning systems,”said Nihal Fernando, World Bank Senior Rural Development Specialist and team leader for the project.“The project will improve the hydro-meteorological information system, including upgrading of 50 hydrometric stations, better flood protection procedures, and establishment of a groundwater monitoring system,” he added. Overall, the project will contribute to the broader goal of poverty reduction through higher productivity and by providing opportunities to improve the incomes of small and marginal landholders. The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, and has 20 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period. The total project cost is US71.66 million, of which the IDA Credit is US$ 65.33 million and the Government of Sri Lanka is contributing is US$ 6.33 million. ### For more information about World Bank activities in Sri Lanka, visit http://www.worldbank.lk/ For project information, visit: http://www.worldbank.lk/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=233047&menuPK=287064&Projectid=P093132 |
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