The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project
(CSIAP) recently paid tribute to a group of officers and drivers who are
concluding their service with the Project upon the completion of their
respective contract periods. Their collective dedication, professionalism, and
steadfast commitment have played a significant role in the successful
implementation of the
CSIAP interventions across 11 districts of sex provinces where the CSIAP is being
implemented in Sri Lanka, leaving behind a strong and lasting legacy.
Among the departing officers are Dr. Kumudini Gunasekara, Agri-Business & Market Linkage Development Specialist, and Ms. G. Kaumadi, Climate Smart Agriculture Officer, who were present at the ceremony. Mr. G.A.M.D. Gunarathne, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, was unable to attend the event due to unavoidable reasons; however, the CSIAP sincerely acknowledges and appreciates his valuable contributions to the successful implementation of the Project.
Throughout their tenure, these officers provided critical technical leadership and guidance in key thematic areas of the Project. Their efforts contributed substantially to strengthening farmer-market linkages, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, and promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices across project districts. Their professional expertise, strategic insight, and dedication greatly enhanced the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of the CSIAP’s development outcomes.
In addition to the officers, the CSIAP also acknowledged the invaluable service rendered by its drivers—Mr. W.A.W. Ananda, Mr. H.A. Wimalarathna, Mr. D.G.P.T. Gunathilaka, and Mr. R.D.P. Rajapaksha—who are also departing upon the completion of their contract periods. Throughout the Project lifecycle, they ensured the safe, timely, and reliable transportation of CSIAP staff across diverse and often challenging terrain, including long-distance travel from Colombo to remote project areas. Their discipline, professionalism, and unwavering sense of responsibility formed an essential backbone of project operations, enabling uninterrupted field engagement and contributing quietly yet decisively to the Project’s overall success.
In recognition of their outstanding service and commitment, all departing officers and drivers were honoured with tokens of appreciation at a special ceremony held yesterday at the Project Management Unit, under the patronage of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director. The ceremony provided an opportunity to express the Project’s deep gratitude for the hard work, dedication, and courage demonstrated by these individuals throughout the Project lifecycle.
During
the ceremony, tokens of appreciation were presented personally by senior
project staff:
* Dr. Kumudini Gunasekara received her token from Mr.
Saman Bandulasena, Project Director
* Ms. G. Kaumadi received her token from Mr. K.V.
Athula, Deputy Project Director
* Mr. W.A.W. Ananda received his token from Mr. D.V.
Bandulasena, Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist
* Mr. H.A. Wimalarathna received his token from Mr.
Frank Jayasinghe, Climate Smart Agriculture Specialist
* Mr. D.G.P.T. Gunathilaka received his token from Ms.
P.D.A.D. Premathilake Jayasinghe, Environmental & Social Safeguard
Specialist
* Mr. R.D.P. Rajapaksha received his token from Mr.
N.A.I.U.K. Nissanka, Water Management & Monitoring Specialist
As the CSIAP concludes its implementation phase, the Project
will fondly remember the valuable contributions of these officers and drivers.
CSIAP extends its best wishes for continued success in their future
professional and personal endeavours. The impact of their service will endure
through strengthened institutions, empowered farming communities, and resilient
agricultural systems that stand as a testament to their commitment and
contribution to the CSIAP’s mission.
