The
June Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project
(CSIAP) was held this morning at the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock
and Irrigation, bringing together Provincial Deputy Directors’ Offices to
assess project implementation status and identify areas for accelerated
progress.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director (Development) of the Ministry, who emphasised the importance of timely execution and the alignment of field-level activities with the broader national objectives of climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable irrigation development. Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of CSIAP, led the CSIAP team comprising Deputy Project Director Mr. K.V. Athula, specialists and officers from the Project Management Unit (PMU). The team presented detailed progress reports on activities carried out across project provinces, including infrastructure development, mechanised agriculture initiatives, farmer capacity building programs, and adaptive practices for climate resilience.
The review included discussions on:
- The physical and financial progress of ongoing rehabilitation works, particularly irrigation infrastructure and tank rehabilitation.
- The status of field demonstrations and farmer field schools promoting climate-smart practices.
- Implementation challenges faced at the provincial and field levels include procurement delays, contractor performance, and seasonal constraints.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, including the role of digital platforms and field inspections.
- Preparations for the upcoming Yala season interventions and plans for project closure readiness in line with the December 2025 completion timeline.
Ms.
Dharmasena commended the efforts of the CSIAP team and urged all staff to
maintain momentum, resolve bottlenecks promptly, and ensure that intended
project outcomes—such as improved farmer resilience, increased productivity,
and efficient water management—are fully realized within the remaining
implementation period. The meeting concluded with a consensus on priority
actions, timelines, and follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustained progress in
the months ahead.
Photograph by Gayani Dassanayake, PMU-CSIAP
