The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has commenced the rehabilitation of two key minor irrigation systems—Weerakatiya Wewa and Gamunu Wewa—located in Pelwatta, under the Buttala Agrarian Service Centre Division in Uva Province. With a total investment of Rs. 71.8 million, this intervention aims to enhance water security, boost paddy cultivation, and build climate resilience among local smallholder farmers.
Weerakatiya Wewa Rehabilitation to Boost Agricultural Productivity in UPThe rehabilitation of the Weerakatiya Wewa officially began on 3rd July 2025 to enhance water availability and improve the livelihoods of local farming communities. This comprehensive effort includes:
- Improvement of the 800-meter-long bund, which is crucial for strengthening the tank’s structural integrity and ensuring long-term water storage.
- Rehabilitation of the existing spillway to manage overflow during the rainy season and reduce the risk of flooding.
- Construction of 122 new farm turnouts, which will improve water distribution directly to individual farmlands.
- Installation of a new sluice gate to regulate water release more efficiently and equitably across the command area
Currently, 85 farmer families cultivate around 120 acres of paddy land using water from Weerakatiya Wewa. With the completion of rehabilitation works, these farmers will now be able to irrigate an additional 120 acres, effectively doubling the cultivated area to 240 acres.
This expansion is expected to significantly increase paddy production during both Yala and Maha seasons, enhance food security, and improve the household incomes and livelihoods of the local farming community. The rehabilitation is expected to directly contribute to the following outcomes: Increased cropping intensity due to reliable irrigation, Reduction in water losses thanks to improved water control structures and Improved climate resilience for smallholder farmers through sustainable water resource management.
Construction, Investment and Community-led Sustainable Management
The project, with a total investment of Rs. 46 million, was undertaken by Samarasinghe Construction Company funded under the CSIAP to support long-term agricultural resilience in climate-vulnerable regions. To ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability, the Weerakatiya Farm Organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and management of the rehabilitated tank.
PMU Officials Witnessed the Rehabilitation Work
The commencement of the Weerakatiya Wewa Rehabilitation project was marked by the presence of a team from the Project Management Unit (PMU), CSIAP. The team included: Ms. Aruni Premathilake, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist, Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist and Ms. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguard and Gender Development Officer. Additionally, Mr. T.D. Bandara, Gender Development Officer from the office of the Deputy Project Director for the Southern and Uva Provinces, also participated in the event. This collaborative effort highlights the integrated approach towards environmental, social, and gender considerations in the rehabilitation of the Weerakatiya Wewa.
The CSIAP Urges Timely Completion and Community Oversight of Tank Rehabilitation
During a site visit, officials from PMU instructed the contractors to expedite the rehabilitation work at Weerakatiya Wewa, ensuring that all tasks are completed well before the project’s scheduled closure in December 2025. To ensure quality and community alignment, the CSIAP team also requested that the Weerakatiya Farm Organisation to actively supervise the ongoing construction work. Their role is to ensure that the rehabilitation meets the practical needs of the farming community and is implemented according to agreed technical standards. This collaborative approach promotes accountability, local ownership, and timely delivery—all essential to realizing the long-term impact of irrigation infrastructure investments under the CSIAP.
Gamunu Wewa Rehabilitation to Enable Year-Round Paddy Cultivation in UP
The rehabilitation already commenced this year and is part of a broader effort to improve water security and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The rehabilitation work focuses on three key components:- Channel lining for 300 meters to reduce seepage and ensure efficient delivery of irrigation water
- Bund strengthening to enhance the safety, storage capacity, and resilience of the tank
- Spillway rehabilitation to allow for safe and controlled water overflow during peak rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding or structural damage
The total investment for this initiative is Rs. 25.8 million, and construction is being carried out by Suwashakthi Construction Company, under the supervision of the CSIAP’s engineering and safeguards team.
Improved Water Access for Smallholder Farmers
Gamunu Wewa currently supports 15 farmer families who
use the tank’s water to cultivate paddy during the Yala and Maha seasons.
However, limited storage capacity and outdated infrastructure have prevented
them from utilizing water during the mid-season, constraining productivity and
income.
With the completion of rehabilitation work, the tank will be able to store and distribute water more efficiently, enabling cultivation across all three cropping seasons — Yala, Maha, and the inter-monsoonal mid-season. This means: Increased cropping intensity and better land utilization, Improved income stability through additional harvests, Reduced risk of crop failure due to improved irrigation control and Greater resilience to climate variability, especially prolonged dry spells
Support for Sugar Cane Farming
Importantly, the improved water supply from Gamunu Wewa will also support sugarcane cultivation in surrounding areas—diversifying crop options and further enhancing the economic resilience of the local farming community.
Sustainability and Farmer Empowerment
The CSIAP places a strong emphasis on sustainability
and community participation. Following the rehabilitation, the operation and
maintenance of Gamunu Wewa will be handed over to the local farmer
organization, ensuring community ownership and encouraging participatory
irrigation management. This project is expected not only to enhance
agricultural output but also to serve as a model for scalable interventions in
other small-scale tanks in the province.
Monitoring, Guiding and Directing by the DPD, SP&UP
Mr.
D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in the Southern and Uva Provinces, plays a key
leadership role in the rehabilitation of irrigation tanks in the province. He
actively monitors the progress of each project site, ensuring that work is
carried out efficiently and in accordance with technical standards and project
timelines. By providing strategic direction and practical guidance to his
staff, implementing agencies and contractors, he ensures that each assigned
task is executed with precision and dedication. His commitment to quality and
timely implementation significantly contributes to the success of the CSIAP’s
infrastructure development efforts.
Story and photographs by Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP