Sri Lanka Water Resources Development and Conservation

Sri Lanka’s Draft National Policy, Strategies, and Institutional Framework for Water Resources Development, and Management of 2019 envisions a society that values the sustainable use of water resources and recognizes the goal of a balanced environment conducive to social and economic development.

Its objective is to encourage integrated water resources development and management, to ensure that the national water resources are conserved, efficiently managed, and equitably allocated among all stakeholders to meet the needs of the society and the environment endeavor for sustainable economic development of the country.

The Draft recognizes the need for a National Water Resources Management Secretariat (NWRMS) to be established to facilitate to carry out the new functions identified in water sector viz. regulation, advising and arbitration.

Organizations currently responsible for development, management and conservation of water resources will continue their current functions with the set of guidelines prepared by the regulatory organization.

The NWRMS shall be the apex agency to implement the policy, which will collaborate with partner agencies to carry out delegated functions. It will not engage in project implementation activities but function as a regulatory body.

A National Water Resources Council (NWRC) will also be appointed to act as the advisory board to the Secretariat while a Water Resources Tribunal (WRT) also will be appointed to resolve conflicts among users. Membership of NWRC will consist of representatives from the Government, experienced professionals, academia, the private sector, and non-governmental Organizations in the water resources sector. Secretarial assistance for NWRC and WRT shall be provided by NWRMS.