by Sudharman Siripala

Sri Lanka is grappling with the increasing threat of climate change, which has led to unpredictable weather patterns. The country faces a dangerous combination of flooding in some regions and water shortages in others, a situation exacerbated by shifting rainfall patterns. Rivers originating in the Central Hills, such as the Mahaweli, Kalu, and Kelani, flow through much of the country, but these water sources are not being distributed evenly. Districts like Monaragala and Hambantota, located in the dry zone, are experiencing severe water shortages. To address this challenge, experts suggest the development of an interconnected river system to harness excess water during floods and redirect it to drier areas, ensuring a year-round water supply for agriculture and daily use.

Global Case Studies in River Management

Several countries facing similar water-related challenges have implemented successful water management systems that Sri Lanka could adapt to its unique circumstances:

The Netherlands – Room for the River Programme

The Netherlands, a country prone to flooding, widened its rivers and relocated dikes to create floodplains. This approach allows rivers to overflow without damaging urban areas, while preserving water flow and natural habitats. Sri Lanka could apply this concept by designating specific riverbank areas for temporary flood storage.

China – South-North Water Transfer Project

China’s massive project channels excess water from the flood-prone Yangtze River to drier northern regions. This system of canals and reservoirs could inspire Sri Lanka to divert water from rivers in the Central Hills to drier areas in the south and east.

Bangladesh – River Interlinking Projects

Bangladesh has implemented river interlinking projects to redistribute water from flood-prone rivers, such as the Brahmaputra, to drier regions. Sri Lanka could link its major rivers like the Mahaweli and Kelani to smaller rivers in water-scarce districts to balance water distribution.

India – National River Linking Project

India’s National River Linking Project connects major rivers to manage both floods and droughts. Sri Lanka could use similar strategies, connecting rivers around the 500-foot contour line in the Central Hills to help distribute water more effectively.

United States – Mississippi River and Tributaries Project

The Mississippi River system combines levees, floodways, and diversion channels to manage flooding. Sri Lanka could adopt similar flood-control measures in vulnerable river basins such as the Kelani and Kalu.

Japan – Underground Reservoirs and Flood Channels

Japan’s G-Cans Project in Tokyo channels excess water into underground reservoirs to prevent urban flooding. A similar underground system could be implemented in Colombo and other flood-prone cities in Sri Lanka.

Singapore – Marina Barrage

Singapore’s Marina Barrage serves as both a flood control measure and a water supply resource. Sri Lanka could develop similar systems to control flooding in urban areas and ensure water availability during dry spells.

Thailand – Chao Phraya River Basin Management

Thailand uses diversion channels in the Chao Phraya River Basin to prevent flooding in Bangkok and direct water to agricultural areas. Sri Lanka could replicate this by creating diversion channels to supply water to its agricultural zones.

Actionable Solutions for Sri Lanka

Develop an Interconnected River System

Establish water diversion channels along the 300-500 meter contour lines of the Central Hills to capture excess rainfall during floods and redirect it to drier areas.

Build Reservoirs and Storage Tanks

Construct reservoirs to store diverted water, ensuring a steady supply for agriculture and domestic use. Sri Lanka has around 14,000 ancient tanks out of 30,000 that could be revitalized for this purpose.

Improve Urban Flood Defenses

Drawing inspiration from Japan and Singapore, build underground reservoirs and flood channels in cities like Colombo to mitigate urban flooding.

Strengthen Watershed Management

Restore natural floodplains and create wetlands to absorb excess rainwater, as seen in the Netherlands, helping to reduce flood risks.

Encourage Public-Private Partnerships

Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to fund large-scale water management infrastructure, leveraging models from China and the United States.

Leverage Technology

Utilise modern forecasting and real-time water management systems, similar to those in Bangladesh and Thailand, to monitor water levels and manage river flows dynamically.

International Collaboration

Form partnerships with countries that have successfully implemented flood control and water management systems to share expertise and technology.

Sri Lanka’s dual challenges of flooding and water scarcity, compounded by climate change, require immediate action. By developing an interconnected river system and learning from successful global water management models, Sri Lanka can mitigate the effects of floods while ensuring a sustainable water supply for agriculture and daily life. It is crucial for the country to act now, as these solutions have the potential to transform Sri Lanka’s water management system for the better.

Sudharman Siripala Managing Director of Geoinformatics Group and a Registered Licensed Surveyor, specializes in geo-spatial applications. He also serves as a freelance value chain consultant for Vivonta Green Tech Consultants (www.vivonta.lk)

Some people have found fault with a female doctor for not coming forward to identify her rapist and help make him pay for his crime.

Do they not realise the emotional toll of facing her rapist again?

There should be a way for survivors to testify directly to the judge without enduring such distressing encounters. Making a victim relive her trauma in this manner is akin to subjecting her to the ordeal all over again.

A Ratnayake

Former Director-General and Chairman of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka and the Founder Chairman of the South Asia Insurance Regulators’ Forum. Patron, Insurance Assessors and Engineers Association of Sri Lanka.

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.”

The above words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – one of the monumental cultural figures of nineteenth-century America and the nation’s preeminent poet in his era – aptly describes the life and times of Chandra Thomas Adolphus Schaffter who will be celebrating his 95th birthday on April 3, 2025.

At a regional law conference held at the BMICH in the 1990s I found myself seated next to an elderly gentleman with long grey hair immaculately dressed in a white suit. I had sponsored through the United Nations several Indian delegates to attend it. I turned to him during the long wait for the Chief Guest as to from which part of India he was from. He laughingly said “I am Chandra Schaffter 100% Sri Lankan” and asked me why I assumed he is from India. My reply was that in India I have seen many distinguished people in full white suits.

It was in the year 2000 when the late Ken Balendra was the Chairman of the SEC he was also appointed as the first Chairman of the newly established Insurance Regulatory Board and I was appointed as the Director-General. A new regulatory regime came into operation bringing in its wake many uncertainties and confusion within the insurance industry that was hitherto lightly regulated by the Ministry of Finance.

I suggested that we arrange an industry consultation within a week. “How on earth are you going to prepare a good background paper within a week?” asked Ken. I said I have already met some of the key stakeholders privately over breakfast and luncheon meetings and already identified 70 odd problem areas.

Chandra was one of the first to be contacted and I believe he was then the president of the Insurers’ Association. I was impressed with Chandra’s honesty and integrity. He stated what was happening in the industry, the practices of his own company and what would be the ideal situation. Having gathered my own intelligence I remember observing later that the industry was not full of saints.

The SEC was entrusted with task of enforcing the new Insurance Act and the staff did a remarkably good job until a new Secretariat was later established. The Seminar was a great success as the Controller of Foreign Exchange at the Central Bank was personally present and solved many long standing issues.

After the presentation of my overview of the new Act, I recall Dr. Jagath Alwis of Ceylinco Insurance commented that now they have a much better idea of the Act since I demystified many complex drafting issues.

Chandra and I met at least once a month along with other stakeholders and many outstanding issues were resolved. Over time I gradually came to know more about his personal and corporate life.

Resilience is a strong virtue that Chandra has displayed throughout his career. He lost his mother when he was barely two years old and that was followed by another tragedy when he lost his father too. He entered St. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and excelled in both studies and sports. He was best known as a fast bowler and he also represented Sri Lanka at hockey.

Much credit goes to him for having had the courage and fortitude to establish almost singlehandedly Sri Lanka’s first major Sri Lankan-owned life insurance company, Janashakthi, in 1994.

Chandra’s life is best described as one of humble beginnings and reaching the zenith of the corporate life. In 2002 Janashakthi purchased the National Insurance Corporation. As I was a member of the Pubic Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC) at that time I knew the enormous difficulties he faced at that time. After the 2004 tsunami the late Lalith Kotelawala and he took the bold step of making payments considerably in excess of the policy limitations.

I had the privilege of serving as the Chairman of Orient Finance PLC, a subsidiary of Janshakthi, for well over a decade.

Without a doubt, Chandra Schaffter is the doyen of the Sri Lankan insurance industry but his reputation goes far beyond our shores. He reached the top not due to a sudden flight but toiling upwards day and night whilst his competitors possibly slept.

We all wish him many more years of good heath and productivity!

by Dr. Dayanath Jayasuriya P. C.