World Bank Delegation Observes Progress and Impact of the CSIAP in Southern

A high-level delegation from the World Bank, led by Mr. David Sislen, Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, visited the Southern Province to assess the progress and impact of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), a flagship initiative aimed at enhancing climate resilience and agricultural productivity through improved water management and modern agricultural technologies.

 Accompanying Mr. Sislen on the field mission, senior World Bank officials included  Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives; Mr. Asela Dissanayake, Senior Operations Officer; Dr. Felipe Dizon, Senior Agriculture Economist; Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist; and Eng. (Ms.) Thiruni Liyanage, Co-Task Team Leader and Senior Water Resources Management Specialist.

Special Meeting at Hambantota District Secretariat

To formally mark the visit to the Southern Province, a special high-level meeting was held today (22^nd)  at the Hambantota District Secretariat under the patronage of Mr. Bimal Indrajith De Silva, District Secretary of Hambantota. Ms. M.K.A. Anjala Amali, Additional District Secretary, also participated in the session. During the meeting, the CSIAP team presented a detailed account of the project’s implementation progress, outcomes achieved, and challenges addressed in the province. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the CSIAP, alongside Mr. D. M. L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director for Southern and Uva Provinces, and a team of subject matter specialists and officers involved in field-level implementation.

Key Highlights Shared with the Delegation The project team showcased significant milestones achieved in  the project areas, including:

• Introduction and scaling of climate-smart farming technologies and water-efficient irrigation systems
• Enhanced participation of smallholder farmers and women in climate-resilient agriculture
• Improved productivity and sustainability of agriculture through mechanization and training
• Development of infrastructure such as  tanks and channel lining for improved water management
• Promotion of community-based approaches for long-term sustainability and local ownership

Positive Feedback from the World Bank
At the conclusion of the session, Mr. David Sislen expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the project team and the tangible results observed during the visit. He noted that CSIAP is making commendable progress toward building resilience among farming communities.  The visit by the World Bank’s top officials reaffirmed the institution’s continued support for the CSIAP and its commitment to sustainable agricultural development in Sri Lanka.

World Bank Officials Visit CSIAP Rehabilitation Projects and Model Farms in Hambantota District

As part of their field engagement in Southern Sri Lanka, World Bank officials, accompanied by representatives of the CSIAP, visited key project sites in the Hambantota District on a mission to assess the impact and progress of ongoing and completed infrastructure and livelihood development efforts. 

Inspection of the Murungawewa Tank Rehabilitation in Bandagiriya ASC under the Wilmanne Cascade System

The first visit was to the Murungawewa Tank rehabilitation site, located under the Bandagiriya Agrarian Service Centre (ASC) in Hambantota District, within the Wilmanne Cascade System. Following the cordial reception from local farmers in Bundala, the delegation was escorted to the Murungawewa tank rehabilitation site, a key component of the Cascade system. This tank, a vital irrigation source for local farming communities, is undergoing extensive rehabilitation under CSIAP, intending to enhance climate resilience, irrigation reliability, and agricultural productivity.

The rehabilitation, which commenced on 4th April 2025, is scheduled for completion by 1st October 2025. With a total investment of Rs. 33.24 million, the works are being implemented by C. J. Constructions Company under the supervision of relevant authorities.

Key Rehabilitation Objectives and Scope

• Command Area Expansion: from 10.5 hectares to 12.5 hectares
• Tank Capacity Enhancement: from 40.74 acre-feet to 42.50 acre-feet

Components of the Rehabilitation Work: Construction and strengthening of Tank Bund (590 meters), Desilting of Tank Bed (6,500 m³), Construction of Concrete Canal, Construction of Tractor Crossings, Excavation of Kiul Canal (630 m³), Construction of Spill Structure (21 meters), Building of a Causeway, Canal Backfilling and Construction of Sluice Outlet. World Bank officials, during their walkthrough, commended the CSIAP team for the systematic approach being followed in the rehabilitation. They discussed technical aspects and shared views on long-term sustainability and climate adaptation strategies for small-scale irrigation schemes.

Traditionally, the farmers dependent on Murungawewa Tank could cultivate only during the Maha season due to unreliable water availability. Upon completion of this rehabilitation, farmers will be able to cultivate during Maha, Yala, and even the mid-season, ushering in significant opportunities to boost productivity, incomes, and rural resilience.

From Struggle to Strength: How the CSIAP empowered farmer Jinasiri Sudusinghe and his family

The delegation later visited the farm of Mr. Jinasiri Sudusinghe, a 67-year-old farmer from Kuda Gammana 07, under the Weerawila ASC Division. His story stands out as a shining example of how integrated support through the CSIAP can catalyse profound transformation at the grassroots level. Working alongside his four sons and employing 15 daily wage labourers, Mr. Sudusinghe has become a symbol of modern, sustainable agriculture in his community.

Support Received Under CSIAP: Solar-powered irrigation pump with complete solar panel system, Sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, Insect-proof netting, High-quality vegetable seeds and Climate Smart Agriculture Training for his four sons at the Thirappane Training School. Through this training, the Sudusinghe family adopted advanced techniques in water-efficient irrigation, pest management, crop diversification, and climate-resilient cultivation. These practices were transferred back to their village, enabling a broader community impact.

Farming Achievements:

• Cultivation of 8 acres, including 3 acres of paddy
• Crop diversity: Capsicum, Bitter Gourd, Luffa, Pumpkin, Mango, Chillies, and Rice 
• Reduced irrigation costs from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 8,000 per month
• Income increased from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 400,000 per month

Beyond personal gains, Mr. Sudusinghe’s initiative created employment for 15 daily workers, directly contributing to community development and rural economic upliftment. Speaking to the World Bank officials, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to CSIAP for empowering him to achieve such transformation.

Completed Rehabilitation of Siyambalagaswewa Tank under Weerawila Cascade System

The final visit was to the Siyambalagaswewa Tank, a medium-scale irrigation tank located in Weerawila, which has already undergone full rehabilitation. Prior to the project, this tank supported cultivation by 25 farming families across 40 acres of land, but only during the Maha season due to water constraints. Recognising its potential, CSIAP undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative with a total investment of Rs. 25 million, implemented by Nethmi Construction Company and overseen by government authorities. The project began on 01 September 2022 and was completed on 20 February 2023.

Key Achievements:  

• Tank capacity increased from 195.55 acre-feet to 217.75 acre-feet

• Construction of Tank Bund with Riprap (650 meters)
• Concrete canal system
• 3 Tractor crossings
• Spill construction (32 meters)
• New sluice structure
• Development of Agricultural Access Road

Post-rehabilitation, farmers can now cultivate during three seasons – Yala, Maha, and the mid-season, ensuring year-round agricultural activity and improved resilience to climate variability. 

Outcomes Observed: Multiple harvests have increased household incomes, Improved food security at the community level, Enhanced land productivity and Reduction in migration for seasonal labour due to local job creation. The beneficiary farmers, during their meeting with the World Bank officials, expressed deep appreciation for the interventions that have revitalised agriculture, ensured stable livelihoods, and given them renewed hope for the future.

Conclusion 
The field visits to Murungawewa, the Sudusinghe family farm, and Siyambalagaswewa Tank collectively highlighted the multi-dimensional success of the CSIAP — from infrastructure improvement to sustainable farming, from institutional support to real-world economic upliftment.  The World Bank officials expressed their satisfaction with the progress and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s journey toward climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation, and resilient rural economies.