The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) concluded the tour of its ‘Water in Sri Lanka’ mobile exhibition at the World Trade Center, Colombo, in June, following a successful two-month-long run in several key cities around the country.
The exhibition was organized to mark 30 years of IWMI’s foundation in Sri Lanka, and provided an insight into IWMI’s research in the country over the past 30 years. It highlighted some of the key water-related challenges faced by Sri Lanka, and outlined some of IWMI’s research initiatives carried out to find solutions to these issues.
Starting in Galle, the exhibition toured Kandy and Jaffna, and returned to Colombo in late June. Venues were in key locations in these cities which were easily accessible to the public. Banners, LED displays and radio announcements drew crowds to view the panel display. A comments book at the venue recorded public appreciation, perceptions and water-related queries.
‘Water in Sri Lanka’ was launched on April 8, 2015, in Colombo by Jeremy Bird, Director General, IWMI, at a high-level stakeholder meeting and reception graced by senior government officials, diplomats, development agency personnel and corporate representatives.
Feedback from the general public…
Jaffna – “Water management is very important. Improving our water resources could lead to a healthy society. Your activity is impressive to create awareness about this in the peninsula. We would like to know more about salt water conservation because it is an ongoing project here.”
Colombo – “Water has more value than blood. You need to focus more on water conservation.”
Kandy – “You must have more large exhibitions like this. We need to disseminate information about the importance of water and the use of safe water.”
Galle – “This is a good start. You must have awareness programs among schoolchildren as well, about the importance of water for life.”
Text and photos by Renuka Jeya Raj