Sri Lanka Integrated Watershed and Water Resources Management Project

The objective of the Integrated Watershed and Water Resources Management Project for Sri Lanka is to improve watershed and water resources planning and enhance functionality of water resources infrastructure. The Project has four components. 1. Watershed and Water Resources Planning component has three subcomponents. 1.1. Watershed Management Planning subcomponent will support development of watershed management plan for the upper Mahaweli watershed, with activities to be implemented at mini-watershed levels. 1.2. Watershed Restoration subcomponent will implement on- and off-farm watershed management activities in upper Mahaweli watershed. 1.3. Multi-sector Water Resources Planning will focus on: (a) Strengthening Bulk Water Allocation Expansion and Enhancement of Existing Bulk Water Allocation Model of Water Management Secretariat in Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL); (b) Groundwater Management; (c) Support for Policy and Institutional Arrangements for Dam Safety. 2. Infrastructure Improvements will entail: (a) Carrying out canal rehabilitation and dam safety remedial works; (b) preparing emergency preparedness plans for select high risk dams; and (c) providing support to farmers organizations to carry out the operation and maintenance of rehabilitated canal systems. 3. Contingent Emergency Response component will provide immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed. 4. Project Management component will: (a) Provide technical and operational assistance to the Project Management Unit for the management of the Project, including on financial management, procurement, environmental and social areas; (b) Support monitoring and evaluation of the Project, including geotagging of the assets rehabilitated or built under the Project; (c) Support stakeholder outreach to increase awareness on the Project; and (d) Train staff at the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Implementing Agencies.