Thursday, 5 December 2024

Mr. S.M.Saman Bandulasena assumes duty as the Project Director of the CSIAP

Mr. S.M. Saman Bandulasena, a reputed and well-experienced retired Special Grade officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, assumed the role of Project Director for the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). Mr. Bandulasena takes responsibility for overseeing the entire CSIAP’s activities, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to achieve project milestones. From now onwards, the new Project Director steers the CSIAP with his expertise towards its intended goals to ensure the project’s success while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Mr. Bandulasena has held various positions such as Assistant Commissioner of Elections, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Elections, Divisional Secretary, Additional District Secretary, Secretary to Provincial Ministry, District Secretary, Chief Secretary  and Senior Additional Secretary to the President since he joined the administrative service in 1998.

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

The World Bank’s 13th support mission to the CSIAP visited Eastern Province

The World Bank Team of the 13th Implementation Support and Review Mission of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) arrived in Eastern Province to evaluate the implementation and performance of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project. The World Bank’s supervision is critical for maintaining accountability, enhancing transparency, and ensuring the effectiveness of the CSIAP. Representing the World Bank, the Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader Dr.  Sheu Salau with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan and Consultant Prof. V.K. Ravichandran visited Eastern Province today (04th) to review the implementation of CSIAP to achieve developmental goals and maximize the impact of financial assistance from the World Bank. This mission is essential for ensuring the CSIAP meets its objectives and adhering to the agreed timelines, budgets, and guidelines. Key elements such as assessment of progress, problem identification, stakeholders’ engagements, compliance checks and capacity building were reviewed during this mission.

Dr. Sheu and his colleagues witnessed the Rehabilitation process of the Neelapanikan Tank, the function of the Groundnut Pod Separator Machine provided to the Thiriyai Producer Society, cultivation under Agrowell with a Sprinkler Irrigation System & Insect Proof Net and Maha Cultivation of Maize in grow bags at Thiriyai. During this mission, the World Bank Officials participated in a farmers' business school training programme at Thiriyai and awarded certificates to farmers from Thiriyai & Kattukulam Producer Societies who completed training classes at Farm Business School (FBS). After the ceremony, farmers shared their experiences in the FBS training with the World Bank Team and posed for a group photograph with them too.

Finally, the Progress Review Meeting was held to observe subject-wise progress at the Uppuweli Agrarian Service Center, Trincomalee.  Marking the World Bank Supporting Mission, “Journey of CSIAP EP from 2019 - 2024", a publication written on the CSIAP achievements from the inception of the project,  was handed over to World Bank Teams by Institutional Developments and Capacity Building Specialist Mr. S. Naveendradas and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer Ms. K. Karthiga. The overall progress of the CSIAP’s activities achieved in Eastern Province was presented through Management Information Systems (MIS) by Monitoring & Evaluation Officer Ms. K. Karthiga. Mr. H.B. Anees, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in Eastern Province guided and facilitated this World Bank Mission in Eastern Province with his staff.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP