National Symposium for Learning Exchange in Community Water Supply Schemes in Sri Lanka     

Cap-Net Lanka collaborated with World Vision Lanka (WVL), the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), the Department of National Community Water Supply (DNCWS), and Lanka Jalani (SLWP) in organizing the symposium.

The event took place on 12 September 2022 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, and was attended by more than 100 Participants from relevant institutions.

The symposium’s objective was to provide a forum for the practitioners to share, discuss and debate the knowledge, innovations, and best practices generated over decades of field-level experience in implementing community water supply projects in Sri Lanka. Also, it was intended to identify the knowledge gaps and discuss the key issues affecting the performance and sustainability of the projects.

Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply (MWS), Mr. N. B. Monti Ranatunga, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and addressed the audience. Mr. H.M.J. Herath, Director General, DNCWS, delivered a Keynote Speech on “Importance of WASH in Present Crisis”. Ms. Nilusha Lakmali Patabendi, WASH Specialist, UNICEF Sri Lanka, delivered a speech on SDG6 and Climate Resilience.

Prof. C.M.B. Dematawewa, Director, PGIA, Mr. Lal Ravindra Perera, Director General, PHDT, and Dr. Dhanan Senathirajah, National Director, WVL also addressed the audience.

There were more than 20 presentations under three thematic sessions: Sustainability of Community Managed Water Supply Schemes, Technology, Innovation and Learning from the Field, and Water Quality Water Safety and IWRM.

The symposium concluded with a Panel Discussion on Policies and Institutional Support to Ensure the Sustainability of Community Managed Water Supply Schemes. Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply, chaired the discussion. Mr. Jayathilaka Herath, Director General, DNCWS, Mr. Lal Ravindra Perera, Director General, PHDT, Mr. Shantha Jayasinghe, Deputy Director, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Mr. N.U.K. Ranatunga, Project Director, Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project (WaSSIP), and Dr. Tanuja Ariyananda, Chief Executive Officer, Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum (LRWHF) served as the panelists.

Dr. Indika Gunawardena, Technical Advisor, World Vision Lanka, and Dr. S. Pathmarajah, Country Coordinator, Cap-Net Lanka, coordinated the event. Cap-Net Lanka will compile the outcomes and produce the proceedings.