Ariyaratna H e w a g e ^ 1 Introduction
Sri Lanka is an island situated in the Indian Ocean with a total land area is 65,525 k m and 103 recognized river basins. It is a country with a long history of hydraulic civilization developed in the river basins. Early settlers around the 5"* Century B C began developing their irrigated agriculture in several river basins in the Country. S o m e of the major rivers used by them are: Malwathu, Mahaweli, Deduru, Kelani, Kalu, W a l a w e , Kirindi, M e n i k and K u m b u k k a n . It is ironical that m a n y of these rivers originate in the Central highlands and flow towards plateaus in the other parts of the Country providing opportunities for irrigated agriculture. Several rivers had been diverted and large reservoirs have been constructed to store water with inter-linkages joining large and small reservoirs into an efficient network.
A n eminent historian, R . L . Brohier, w h o wrote extensively on ancient irrigation thus said:
"Several authorities aver that in Pre-Christian times Ceylon had attained the idea of controlling the waters of streams formed by Nature, to satisfy the ample needs of the unfertile regions through which they passed. Extensive works of irrigation, secured with an immense amount of labor, skill and science, had transformed arid plains into areas of plentiful prosperity at a period w h e n agriculture in Europe w a s in the rudest and most primitive state."
(Brohier 1934). T h e water w a s managed not only for agriculture, but also for domestic purposes, for wildlife etc., thereby developing rich eco-systems in the Country.
Water, land and other natural resources have to be shared by the population in any Country for their living. Interestingly, the population of Sri Lanka, which was 3.566 million at the turn of the 20th century, has reached to 18.9 million today. It is projected to increase to 23.1 million in the year 2025.
A study conducted b y the International Water M a n a g e m e n t Institute ( I W M E ) has revealed that there will be wide temporal and spatial variations of available water resources in Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka as a whole will not face serious water scarcity in future.
According to Amarasinghe et al, " d e m a n d projections for 2025 show that the dry zone will again account for more that 9 0 percent of the total water withdrawals. With an increased irrigation efficiency scenario, the total withdrawal d e m a n d in the country (and especially in the dry zone) can be reduced by almost half. According to most scarcity criteria, the national statistics indeed show n o serious present or future water scarcity. H o w e v e r , a different picture emerges at the district level. Five districts (25% of the total land area) in the M a h a season, and nine districts (43% of the total land area) in the Yala season withdrew more than 5 0 percent of their water resources in 1991. These districts already have absolute water-scarce conditions according to s o m e criteria. A few more districts will enter into the absolute water-scarce category in 2025 under scenario 1." (Amarasinghe et al. 1999).
It is very vital that the natural resources, particularly water should be managed properly for the benefit of future generations.
' Executive Director (development), Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, E-Mail:ahewage@sri.lanka.net
2 Mahaweli P r o g r a m m e
Mahaweli is the longest river in the Country (330 k m ) and originates from the central highlands, flows through the Central, U v a , North-Central and Eastern Provinces, and discharges into Indian Ocean at Trincomalee on the East Coast. T h e basin is 10,327 k m ^ , which is one sixth of the Country's land area, while the river basin falling within Mahaweli Development Programme is about 4 0 % of the Country. T h e Mahaweli Development Programme is the largest multi-purpose development programme launched in Sri Lanka.
"The major components of the programme are: generation of hydroelectric power, providing irrigation facilities for Dry Zone cultivation's, settlement of landless and unemployed families by constructing and developing physical and social infrastructure required for h u m a n habitation, by hamassing the waters of the Mahaweli Ganga, the longest river in the country. Besides, further attempts were m a d e to increase food production and to create employment opportunities for the settlers through this programme (Wanigaratne 1997).
Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka ( M A S L ) was established by an Act of Parliament ( M A S L Act N o . 23 of 1979) to manage this large multi-purpose development program.
" M A S L incorporated in its structure a m u c h broader concept of basin development. Mainly, it had three n e w features: (1) a strong legal framework enabling the coverage of areas beyond the Mahaweli river basin; (2) an integrated approach to the management of irrigated agriculture; and (3) a management effort extending beyond the usually observed irrigation system boundaries." (Bandaragoda 1999). M A S L activities thus did not confine to developing irrigated agriculture and providing infrastructure to generate hydropower, but extended to several other areas such as land administration, marketing, enterprise development, social/community development and environmental management, by establishing an integrated approach to project area development in river basins.
Although major components of construction phase have been completed to a great extent, still the M A S L is managing a large Volume of infrastructure with a high cost of maintenance.
Table 1 below depicts the magnitude of infrastructure and resources currently managed by the
MASL.
Mahaweli Resources volume/extent Gross Land Area
(Sys. B, C, G, H & U W ) Water Bodies (Reservoirs)
(including U d a Walawa) Irrigation Canals (lengths)
Roads
Buildings (Schools, Health Centres, Post Offices, C o
-operatives)
1997
1997 1997 1997
3499 km^
2842 M m^
8148 km.
1298 km.
853
Table 1: Infrastructure and Resources of Mahaweli (Source: Mahaweli Statistical Handbook - 1 9 9 7 )
3 Current Status and Role of M A S L
The Mahaweli programme extended all welfare and community development assistance to settlers in Mahaweli areas w h o have been settled in newly opened up lands. These assistance include irrigation, housing, agricultural extension, water management training, marketing, education, water supply, land administration etc. At present Mahaweli programme offers a considerable share of contribution to the national economy. T h e Table 2 presents the Mahaweli share in the national economy.
Type of Contribution
Table 2: Mahaweli Economic Indicators (Source:Mahaweli Statistical Handbook -1997) 20 years after the launching of Mahaweli Accelerated Development Programme, today the M A S L is faced with the question of consolidating its activities in respect of efficient economic, social and environmental development.
4 Planned Changes
M A S L , with the assistance of the World Bank has planned to restructure its organization in line with current challenges and trends. S o m e of the major activities so planned are as follows;
- Right sizing the M A S L Cadre (6,000 employees out of 11,000 have been granted golden handshake and sent on Voluntary Retirement).
- Handing over of operation and maintenance responsibilities of some irrigation Systems (distributory and field canals) to the farmer Organizations.
- Transferring of identified activities of M A S L to relevant line agencies.
- Implementing Integrated Water Resource Management in Mahaweli Basin Areas in line with the proposed National Water Resources Policy.
- Transforming M A S L into a river basin management agency.
5 Strengths of Mahaweli Systems
M A S L has been able to develop a strong organizational capacity over the 2 0 years of its existence as a leading development agency. S o m e of the key strengths of M A S L are given below:
- Comprehensive legal framework for integrated resource management on the basis of river basin areas.
- Integrated approach to development including agriculture, providing infrastructure for power generation, value added economic activities, enterprise development, social/human development and environmental conservation and protection.
- Water Management Secretariat ( W M S ) — This is a unit that collects analyses and uses data on rain fall, availability and use of stored water in reservoirs. This is a quite strong arm of M A S L , which helps in its development planning.
- T h e Water Management Panel of W M S provides a forum for officials of M A S L Other Govt. Agencies, such as Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department, Electricity Board etc., and the representatives of farmer organizations w h o receive Mahaweli water for agriculture in deciding about timing and quantities of Water issues before the cultivation season begins.
- Skilled set of officers with wide experience in different subject areas w h o are prepared to work as an inter-disciplinary team.
- Highly skilled engineering personnel to maintain huge d a m s , reservoirs, canals and other infrastructures.
6 Proposed M o d e l for Mahaweli Basin M a n a g e m e n t
River basin management has been practiced in various countries in a manner specific to such countries. Therefore a model practiced in another country should not be imposed to Sri Lanka.
Instead it should develop a model suitable its situation based on, past experience and available resources. It is important to review the lessons learned objectively and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the M A S L w h e n developing a R B M model to replace it.
The World Banks recommendation in respect to formation of a river basin management agency is as follows:
"The sub-component on Natural Resource Management would support the consolidation of environmental management responsibilities through technical support to advise on institutional changes required to perform the proposed functions of the future river basin authority. It would also provide resources for adaptation of proven technologies and approaches to manage and maintain land and water resources. Project support would be for planning and implementing activities for sustainable land and water management through participatory approaches, dissemination of information, provision of training, technical guidance and mobilization of various land user groups in the basin for expansion of sustainable technologies, awareness and extension. Demonstration activities would include programs to find appropriate ways of improving land management, controlling erosion, reducing pollution and controlling deforestation". ( M R R P - Project Appraisal Document,
1998)
This proposed model seems be limited mainly to natural resource management and therefore well developed aspects of M A S L such as improved agricultural practices, agro-based enterprise development, farmer participation in decision making etc., are not included in it. If this model is accepted there will occur a serious problem with regard to the Mahaweli contribution to the G N P . Considering all these factors, it is proposed to include the following components in Mahaweli river basin management model.
- Harness the strong areas of M A S L and incorporate them appropriately in the new R B M model.
- Geographical area development based on Mahaweli River Basin should be continued with necessary improvements.
- Integrated approach to development with multiple functions should be further strengthened for improved productivity and quality of life of people.
- Natural Resources such as water, land flora, fauna and eco systems should be conserved with proper practices and they should be used optimally for improved productivity.
Agricultural activities and other enterprise development activities should be organized in such a w a y that natural resource base will not be affected adversely. All economic activities should be complementary to social development and envimmental management practices and vice a versa.
- H a n d over irrelevant and unwanted infrastructure including roads, buildings, water supply schemes etc., to other relevant line agencies for management.
- Hand over distributory and filed canals to farmer organizations after their capacities have been strengthened to take over and manage.
- Commercialize identified activities of M A S L . Already following companies have been formed under M A S L as part of Commercialization process.
• Mahaweli Venture Capital C o . Ltd.
• Mahaweli Engineering Services C o . Ltd.
• Mahaweli Nurseries C o . Ltd.,
• Mahaweli Eco Tourism C o . Ltd.,
This commercialization process will help to reduce the burden of maintaining some physical and h u m a n resources by utilizing state funds. In addition it will bring about increased employment and income to the country.
- Develop and promote more enterprise development activities including value added enterprises. Eco-friendly tourism should be promoted in Mahaweli areas, as there is a great potential in this field..
- Operation and Maintenance of headworks (large d a m s , canals etc.) should be continued by the M A S L as is done at present.
- Conservation and protection of environment though proper regulatory and supervisory functions should be carried out by the M A S L . eg. Environmental Impact Assessment of identified projects as required by the National Environmental Act.
7 M a n a g e m e n t approach for Mahaweli R B M
- Develop healthy and effective partnership between M A S L officials and community and with private sector.
- M A S L officers should be re-oriented to play a facilitator role in achieving its objectives.
- Skills of M A S L officers should be enhanced to undertake n e w challenges.
- Interdisciplinary team approach should be developed a m o n g all categories and all levels of M A S L officers.
- Organization structure should be dynamic and desirable to enable employees to develop a pride in the organization.
- Management should try to achieve the goals of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) to enable long term planning.
- Concern should be on natural resources development and h u m a n development.
References
Abeykoon, Dr. A . T . P . L . , 1992. Population Statistics of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka:
Ministry of Health & W o m a n ' s Affairs
Amarasinghe, Upali A . , Mutuwatta, Lai and Sakthivadivel, R . 1999. Water Scarcity
Variations within a Country: A Case Study of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute.
Bandaragoda, D.J. 1999. Some Thoughts on Future Options for MASL, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Brohier, R . L . , 1934. Ancient Irrigation Works in Ceylon, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ministry of Mahaweli Development
Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, 1998. Mahaweli Statistical Handbook 1997. Colombo, Sri Lanka.
M R R P , 1998. Project Appraisal Document. Rural Development Sector Unit, South Asia Region, the World Bank.
Somasekaram T , et. al 1197. Arjuna's Atlas of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.