The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched an exhibition on ‘Water in Sri Lanka’ to mark its 30th anniversary, at the Lighthouse Galley on Wednesday 8 April 2015. The exhibition highlights some of the water resource challenges facing Sri Lanka, and outlines research initiatives carried out by IWMI to provide solutions.
The exhibition will tour the country throughout 2015 and be on public view, starting at the World Trade Center in Colombo in May, then move on to Kandy, Jaffna and Galle. Dates and venues will be announced in the local press.
“Managing Sri Lanka’s water sustainably in the face of increasing demands and a changing climate will be one of the defining challenges of the next few decades,” said Jeremy Bird, Director General, IWMI, who launched the exhibition. “However, thanks to strong partnerships with the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders in the sector, we are optimistic for a water-secure future for the island. We hope that this exhibition can shed a little light on what the issues are, and how the work of IWMI and others can help find equitable and enduring solutions.”
Responding to Mr. Bird, Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage, thanked IWMI for its efforts over the last three decades, and looked forward to continued cooperation between the Institute and its Sri Lankan partners.
Over 60 representatives of IWMI’s partners and stakeholders attended the launch of the exhibition. During the proceedings, Mr. Bird handed over two water testing kits for schools to Imali Perera, Environmental Pioneer Student Program Coordinating Teacher, Ananda Sastralaya – Kotte, and Jayanthi Pinnagoda, Deputy Principal, Vidura College – Colombo. IWMI and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), will hand over the balance of 100 kits to selected schools in the Western Province in order to raise awareness of water quality issues and help students develop their skills in environmental science.