To align with UNDP’s “Water and Ocean Governance Programme”, the above symposium was organized by Cap-Net Lanka in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), Water Resources Science and Technology (WRST) and Lanka Jalani (Sri Lanka Water Partnership) on the 28 th November 2019 at the International Water management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event was attended by more than 50 participants from relevant institutions. Dr. S. Pathmarajah, Country Manager, Cap-Net Lanka coordinated the event.
Mr. Lim Chow Hoc, Manager, MyCDNet, Malaysia delivered a guest speech on Coastal Reservoirs which was well received by the audience. Dr. Terni Pradeep Kumara, General Manager, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) delivered a key note speech on “Marine Pollution” and Mr. Gamini Hewage, Director, Coastal Resource Management of the Cost Conservation Department (CCD) made an invited presentation on “Coastal Water Pollution and Management Interventions”. A panel discussion on Issues and Essence of Urban Water and Coastal Zone Management was held with the participation of managerial level officials from Government and Non-governmental organizations. Altogether, six invited presentations were made in the Technical Sessions in the afternoon.
Winners of the Aqua Republica – 2019; St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy and Rambewa Central College, Anuradhapura were awarded Trophies and Certificates at this event. Students of Rambewa Central College have obtained a score of 246,858 which was the highest score achieved since the competition was introduced in Sri Lanka by Cap-Net Lanka in 2016.
The symposium clearly recognised that policies and plans to protect the urban waters and coastal zones are already available; what is lacking is action which require political will and financial assistance.
Conducted on 28 November 2019 at International Water management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
