A
special meeting on the Flood
Damages and Recovery Plan of the Climate Smart Irrigated
Agriculture Project (CSIAP) commenced this morning at the Wayamba Training Institute, Wariyapola,
under the patronage of Mr. Saman
Bandulasena, Project Director of CSIAP, with the participation
of Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Consultant for
Agriculture and Rural Development of the World Bank. The
meeting was convened in view of the recent floods that caused widespread damage
to agricultural infrastructure and farmlands in project areas. Addressing the
gathering, Project Director Mr. Bandulasena explained the critical importance
of conducting a comprehensive Flood Damage and Recovery Plan to ensure a
well-coordinated and timely response. He emphasized that the plan would guide
the systematic restoration of damaged irrigation systems, improve disaster
preparedness, and protect the livelihoods of farming communities who have been
severely affected by the adverse weather conditions.
Mr. Bandulasena delivering his address at the event
Mr. Manoharan addressing participants during the meeting
The World Bank Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan highlighted the importance of accurate data collection and detailed field-level damage assessments. He stressed that special attention must be given to assessing damages to tanks, anicuts, agricultural roads, and agro-wells, as these are vital infrastructure components that support irrigation and agricultural productivity. He further noted that reliable data would help in prioritizing interventions, mobilizing resources effectively, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the recovery process. The meeting was attended by Deputy Directors representing the Project Management Unit and Provincial Offices, along with subject specialists and officers. Participants actively engaged in discussions on assessment methodologies, reporting mechanisms, and coordinated action plans. They also shared preliminary field observations and proposed immediate steps to carry out rapid damage surveys in the most affected areas.
The special session concluded with a collective commitment to expedite field inspections, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and finalize a structured Flood Damage and Recovery Plan, aiming to restore agricultural infrastructure swiftly and enhance the resilience of farming communities under the CSIAP framework.
