Preschool Tree Planting Programme launched under the CSIAP Week in Eastern

The CSIAP is delighted to launch the Preschool Tree Planting Programme under CSIAP Week, marking a meaningful step towards nurturing a love for nature in our youngest generation. As part of the CSIAP Week celebrations, a Preschool Tree Planting Programme was launched at Galakadawala Preschool on 09 May 2025, under the patronage of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP).

 Planting a tree is more than just placing a seed in the soil—it is sowing the values of responsibility, care, and respect for the environment. Today, our preschool children, guided by their teachers and parents, have taken part in an act that symbolizes hope, growth, and a greener tomorrow. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 52 children and 6 teachers from both Galakadawala and Gomarankadawala Preschools. In a significant step towards promoting environmental awareness among young learners, 60 Tom E JC mango plants and 60 coconut seedlings were distributed to children to be planted at their homes.

By giving each child a mango or coconut seedling,  the CSIAP encourages hands-on learning and strengthens the bond between families and nature. These small hands planting tiny saplings will one day grow into strong trees, just like our children, growing into responsible citizens of the world. The highlight of the event was the ceremonial tree planting at the preschool premises by the CSIAP official,s including Project Director Mr. Bandulasena and Mr. Sampasivam Naveendrathas, the newly appointed Deputy Project Director of CSIAP for the Eastern Province.

This meaningful programme was coordinated and organised by Mr. T. Sekaran, Social Safeguard Officer of the CSIAP in  Eastern Province, with the aim of officially launching the CSIAP Week in the province. The event emphasised both environmental stewardship and community engagement, aligning with CSIAP's broader goals. Agriculture Facilitators from Gomarankadawala and Pankulam and parents of preschool children also took part, further reinforcing the message of cultivating a greener future through collective action and early education.

Story and photographs by T. Sekaran, Social Safeguard Officer, Eastern Province, CSIAP.

Ensuring Safety First: Landmine Clearance at Vavetti Kulam Tank Site, Mullaitivu

As part of the ongoing rehabilitation under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), an antipersonnel landmine was discovered at the Vavetti Kulam tank site in Mullaitivu District. Immediate safety protocols were enacted, and the site was promptly secured to prevent harm. The incident was reported without delay on 11 April 2025 to the Project Management Unit (PMU)’s Safeguard Team, the Project Director, and the World Bank’s Safeguard and Task Teams. In response, the World Bank Safeguard Team provided specific guidance to mitigate risks and ensure full compliance with safeguard standards. The following measures were implemented:

• Pre-screening and Scanning: All high-risk sites, particularly those near forested or formerly conflict-affected areas, must undergo thorough pre-screening to detect potential hazards and prevent future delays.
• Mine Clearance Certification: No rehabilitation activities may resume without an official clearance certificate from accredited mine action authorities. The Vavetti Kulam site has since received formal certification from The HALO Trust.
• Safety Screening and Stakeholder Engagement: Hazard assessments and structured safety briefings are now mandatory to safeguard workers and surrounding communities.
• Awareness Programs: Comprehensive sessions on landmine awareness and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) protocols will be conducted for contractors and Social Audit Committee members at all CSIAP sites.

 Before recommencing rehabilitation activities, The HALO Trust completed a final clearance and completion survey at Vavetti Kulam. The resulting mine clearance report was submitted to the PMU and the World Bank for official record. As a final precaution, awareness and safety training will be held for all site workers and Social Audit Committee members, underscoring CSIAP’s commitment to ensuring safety and community involvement. This incident highlights the critical importance of conflict-sensitive planning and robust risk management in post-conflict development initiatives. The full documentation—including certificates, correspondence, and photographs—is available in the official project records.

Please click Identified Antipersonnel Landmines at the Vavetti Kulam Tank Site in Mullaitivu District  to read it, and click the Clearance Certificate to read it.

Written by Ms. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Safeguard Division, PMU, CSIAP

Submission of Bi-Annual Safeguard Progress Report – Phase II (2025)

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is pleased to announce the successful submission of its Bi-Annual Safeguard Progress Report for Phase II of the 2025 implementation year to the World Bank. This submission complies with the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements set forth by the Bank’s safeguard policies.

The comprehensive report outlines significant progress and updates on environmental and social safeguard compliance and monitoring across all project areas. It highlights our continued commitment to sustainable irrigation infrastructure development, livelihood protection, stakeholder engagement, biodiversity conservation, and robust grievance redress mechanisms.

The CSIAP extends its sincere gratitude to all stakeholders and partners whose collaboration has been instrumental in achieving this milestone

Highlights of the report include:

• Environmental and Social screening of 179 irrigation schemes
• Progress on tank rehabilitation and cascade management
• Clearances from the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation
• Livelihood impact assessments and mitigation strategies
• Active functioning of Social Audit Committees and Grievance Redress Mechanisms
• Community participation and gender-inclusive development
• Success stories include solar-powered electric fences for crop protection
• Implementation of the Code of Conduct to prevent Gender-Based Violence
• Environmental and Social Impact Management Plan (ESMP) Monitoring with the Photo evidence.

The report also documents lessons learned, good practices, and province-wise monitoring summaries across the CSIAP’s target areas. The full report is now accessible through our website under the "Publications" section. 

In addition to that, please click  The Bi-Annual Safeguard Progress Report on 20th March 2025  to read the report and click  Annexes of the above report to refer.

By Sharmila Shanmuganthan, Safeguard Division, PMU, CSIAP