Sri Lanka President H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa officially launched the country’s first-ever water information system, the Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System, during a courtesy visit to IWMI on Friday January 17, 2013.
President Rajapaksa was received by IWMI’s Director General Jeremy Bird, the management team, ministers and other senior government officials. “It is a great honor for IWMI to welcome His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka to our headquarters, and to formally launch the Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System,” said Jeremy Bird.
Researchers made presentations on IWMI’s projects in Sri Lanka and the President expressed his interest in and appreciation of IWMI’s work.
The IWMI-developed water information system is available free online and is designed to help scientists and policymakers to accurately monitor the dynamics of Sri Lanka’s water resources. It provides facts, figures and maps on Sri Lanka’s trends in water availability, use and quality and aims to enhance water management in the country. The tool also promotes cooperation among all the agencies involved in water management to share their data.
Water is a critical issue in the country. “While many parts of Sri Lanka have an abundance of water resources, huge areas experience water scarcity and hence competition among the uses for people’s individual needs and livelihoods, food production, industry, tourism as well the country’s stunning wildlife,” said Bird. “Growing threats from climate change will intensify that competition, which means that it is more important than ever to manage water resources efficiently and sustainably.
“Tools such as the information system play a part in supporting Sri Lanka’s continued development, economic growth and future prosperity.”
Click to visit the Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System – http://slwater.iwmi.org/