The Final workshop on the Project for Monitoring of the Water Quality of the Major Water Bodies held on 22nd February 2018 at the Ministry of Mahaweli Development & Environment “Sobadam Piyasa”, No. 416/C/1, Robert Gunawardana Mawatha, Battaramulla. The officials of the same Ministry, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Central Environmental Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, BOI, Irrigation Department and Mahaweli Authority were participated in the workshop.
JICA formulated this Project during 2014 and the activities commenced with the dispatch of Japanese experts team in February 2015. As the term of the project is three years, the project is scheduled to be completed at end of February 2018. The project is being implemented concentrating Kalani River basin. The project purpose was to strengthen the enforcement capacity of CEA and its regional branch offices of the Kalani River basin on water quality management. The following are the outputs of the project at the completion:
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- Preparation of Ambient water quality standards and categorization of water bodies
- Strengthening of Water quality analysis capacity of CEA officers
- Accreditation of CEA Laboratory for ISO 17025
- Preparation of Inspection Guideline and strengthening of CEA staff on inspection.
- Preparation of web based Pollution Source Inventory (PSI) monitoring system including EPL status.
- Strengthening of Enforcement capacity and promotion of acquisition of EPL
- Preparation of web based Environmental Information Management system
JICA extended cooperation for achieving above outputs by concentrating Kalani River basin. Now it is time to take baton and expand same model in other major water bodies by the line Ministry and the CEA as stipulated in the overall Goal of the Project. JICA has recognised the dedicated work of both CEA staff and Japanese expert team for achieving project purpose under above outputs. Senior Representative of JICA Sri Lanka, Dr. Toru Kobayakawa in the last Joint Coordination Committee Meeting held recently requested both the line Ministry and CEA Management to expand the project outcome for other major water bodies which gives meaning and justification to the JICA cooperation.
