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Workshop on
“Present situation of River Sand Mining in Southern Sri Lanka and
its effect on Livelihood, Agriculture and Natural habitat
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Official Launching of
CapNet-Lanka website (Nov, 2006)
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Symposium on
Development Initiatives in Water Sector
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Core Group Meeting
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4th Meeting of
Cap-Net Network Managers
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“Rain Water Walk”
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National Workshop
on Training of Trainers in Integrated Water Resources Management
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IWRM at a glance
for GO’s (National Water Supply Drainage Board) Sri Lanka
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Water quality
awareness program for school children – Nanu Oya
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Workshop on watershed problem
identification – Nanu Oya
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Training on research proposal
formulation
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Dialogue on River
Sand & Clay Mining
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Development of
Database/Website
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Core Group
Meeting
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Awareness program
for NGO’s, Government and other relevant sectors in IWRM
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Awareness program
on IWRM for school teachers
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Gender & Water Dialogue
- AGM of Cap-Net Lanka
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Training Needs Assessment
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Training workshop
on water policy
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National Workshop
on Training of Trainers in IWRM
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Regional Tot in Integrated Water
Resources Management in South Asia
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Official Launching of CapNet-Lanka website (Nov,
2006) |
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Website for Caplet-Lanka addressed
www.capnetlanka.org was developed and officially Launched by Dr.Paul
Taylor (Director, Cap-Net) at the inaugural session of symposium on
Development Initiatives in Water Sector: Lessons learned by NGO's held
on 29th November, 2006 at PGIA, Sri Lanka. However suggestions are
welcome by webmaster: msmfasly@yahoo.com |
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Symposium on Development Initiatives in Water
Sector: (Nov. 2006) |

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Dr. Paul Taylor (Director, Cap-Net) was
invited as the cheif guest for a symposium on Development Initiatives in Water
Sector: Lessons learnet by NGO's held on 29th November, 2006 at PGIA, Sri Lanka
. He delivered a speech on "Importance of partnership & Network in Water
Resource Managment" at the inugral session of the symposium. Eleven cases
were presentated in the symposium. the symposium was coordinated by Dr. S.
Pathmarajah (spathma@pdn.ac.lk) |
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Core Group Meeting (Nov, 2006) |
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Core Group members
meeting was held on 17th Nov, 2006 at the Dept. of Agricultural Engineering.
The progress of the workplan for 2006 - 2007 was discussed.
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Network Managers Meeting (Oct, 2006) |

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Country coordinator Dr. M.I.M. Mowjood was participated at the
managers meeting held 15 - 20 October, 2006 in Delft, The Netherlands.
The meeting focused especially on work planning and the delivery of sustainable
water and sanitation and on South/South collaboration: from country to country
and from region to region. This was very much useful in many ways opportunities opened for sharing expertise and materials
between the networks. Work plan of the cap-nets were discussed |
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“Rain Water
Walk” (Sep, 2006) |
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An International conference on “
Rain Water Usage” was held on 27th, 28th & 29th
of September 06 at Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy along with an exhibition at St.
Sylvesters’ College, Kandy. In support of this event National Water Supply &
Drainage Board with the collaboration of Cap-Net Lanka organized a campaign
“Rain Water Walk” which commenced from Bank of Ceylon Kandy to St.
Sylvesters’ College, Kandy on 28th Sep’06. Many placards on Rain
Water Usage was displayed by the walkers in order to make the public aware. |
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National
Workshop on Training of Trainers in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
(Sep, 2006) |
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Tot in IWRM is one of the key program for CapNet-Lanka.
The second National Tot workshop was held from 5th to 8th September,
2006 at the In-service Training Institute, Gannoruwa with 26 participants
from GO's and NGO's. This program addressed many different aspects,
themes and principles of IWRM as well as innovative skills needed for
effective training and education of water sector professionals and
practitioners working in various aspects of water resources management. |
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The National Tot is structured on the experience
of Global Tot in Neuchatel in June 2003, the Regional Tot & National Tot in Sri
Lanka in November 2004 & June 2005 respectively and the lessons learnt from
those workshops. The training materials developed globally/regionally and
nationally were discussed and made available to the participants.
The main objective of the Tot workshop in
IWRM was to strengthen the capacity of trainers in Sri Lanka by providing
them with up-to-date knowledge on the principles of IWRM and equipping
them with innovative training skills. It also used as a platform to
strategize actions for the training of decision/policy makers and water
sector professionals.
Through this Tot workshop, CapNet-Lanka
can increase the membership and the involvement of members, in all the
activities for capacity building in IWRM. The workshop brought together
people from various government and non-government institutions to
initiate some linkages to work in partnership. Most of the
participants paid the fees Rs. 10,000.00 and some were given
fellowships.
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IWRM at a glance for
GO’s (National Water Supply Drainage Board) Sri Lanka (Aug, 2006) |
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Around 50 participants, chief Engineers, Project Managers, Managers, Engineers, Officer
In-Charge-Water Supply Scheme, District Engineers and Engineering Assistants, from NWSDB participated at this workshop. Eng. B.W.R. Balasooriya/Deputy
General Manager, chaired the session. Eng. L.L. A. Peiris/Asst.
General Manager introduced the Cap-Net Lanka and its link to National Water
Supply & Drianage Board. |
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CDs on IWRM were distributed among the
participants as training materials. Two lectures were held on
Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM)
by Dr. M.I.M.
Mowjood- and Water Issues addressed by using IWRM Tools
(Lessons learnt from case studies) by Dr. L. W. Galagedara.
Future network
activities with National Water Supply & Drainage Board also discussed.
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Water quality
awareness program for school children – Nanu Oya (July, 2006) |
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Workshop on IWRM organised by Cap-Net Lanka together with Lanka
Jalani, National Water Supply & Drainage Board for school children in
Kadugannawa area was held on 12th July, 2006 at the People’s
Bank Build. Auditorium, Kadugannawa. Around 150 school children
participated with their teachers. Workshop was held in local Language, |
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A leaflet titled “Jala Sampatha
Surakimu” was distributed among the participant.
Also five books to each school library titled
“Jalaya Lokaye Jeewayai” (“Water is the breath of the
world”) was donated by NetWwater.
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Workshop on watershed problem
identification – Nanu Oya (May 2006) |
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This was organized by Cap-Net Lanka in
collaboration with NetWwaters, Lanka Jalani and Postgraduate Institute of
Peradeniya (PGIA) on 26th May, 2006 at the Auditorium of PGIA.
The Mayor Mr. S. K. Abeysiriwardena of Kadugannawa urban Council
was the chief guest of the program. Around 30 participants including
opposition leader-Municipal Council-Kadugannawa, ChaIWRMn-Pradeshiya
Sabawa-Akurana, Environmental Officers, Public Health Inspectors,Irrigation |
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Engineers, Proprietors of Timber Deports from Kagugannawa/Yatinuwara/Pilimathalawa,
Mr. M.B. Adikaram, ChaIWRMn-National Builders Association, Ms. Kusum Athukorala,
Chair, NetWwaters and postgraduate students in IWRM were participated.
Dr. Induka Werellagama-Faculty of Engineering, Eng. Mr. L.L.I.
Peiris-NWSDB made presentations on Nanu Oya at the workshop.
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Training
on research proposal formulation (April, 2006) |
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Three participants Dr. M.M.M.
Najim, Dr. (Ms) N.D.K. Dayawansa and Mr. Nawaz participated at this
programme which was held at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 23rd to 27th
of April, 2006 organized by Cap-Net Bangladesh. A fellow up program of
this nature will be conducted in Sri Lanka in 2007.
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Dialogue on River Sand & Clay
Mining (April, 2006) |

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This program was
organized by Lanka
Jalani with its partner institutions including Cap-Net Lanka on 24th
April, 2006.
The issue of unregulated river sand and
clay miming is rapidly progressing to a national threat to the rivers,
ecosystems, health of communities and their well being in addition to
the damages to the infrastructures such as bridges, irrigation, water
supply systems and roads. On the other hand, |
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the construction industry contributing over 8% to
GDP requires over 7 million cubic meters of sand annually. National policy on
sand mining, legal provision for regulation and institutional and administrative
arrangement appear inadequate to meet the requirement. Ad hoc prohibitions on
mechanized mining and banning due to pressure from local communities have not
been able to meaningfully overcome the problem. No integrated effort has been
yet made to resolve this issue. Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Minister of Science
and Technology and other representatives of various institutions were
participated. The media reported the activity in the national papers. Dr. P.B.R.
Dissanayake, Prof. Athula Senaratne (University of Peradeniya), Prof. Malik
Ranasinghe (University of Moratuwa) and Mr. Anil Peiris (Geological Survey and
Mines Bureau) have made presentations.
Presentation (hard copies) are available
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Development of
Database/Website (Sep, 2006) |
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A web site is being designed and developed for
Cap-Net Lanka and launched in September, 2006.
www.capnetlanka.org
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Core Group Meeting
(April, 2006) |
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Core Group members meeting was held
on 22nd April, 2006 at the Dept. of Agricultural Engineering.
Activities held in the past were reported and future activities and the
budget were discussed and finalised.
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Awareness program for NGO’s,Government and
other relevant sectors in IWRM |
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Trainings were provided in
key principles and themes of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
on 15th, 20th and 27th March,2006 at Kandy, Pollannaruwa and Badulla respectively, to the staff of Plan Sri Lanka, a
NGO working with water related activities at the grass root level.
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Awareness program on IWRM for school teachers
(March, 2006) |
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This programme was organized by
Cap-Net Lanka with the collaboration of NRMC, Lanka Jalani, NetWwaters &
National Water
Supply & Drainage Board on 22nd March, 2006 at the In-Service
Training Institute, Gannoruwa.
Dr.
Punniyawardena from NRMC coordinated the programme and it was a
successful workshop with attendance of 100 Advance Level
Science/Geography teachers, agricultural staff, and other professionals.
Dr. M.I.M. Mowjood, Dr. L.W. Galagedara,
Dr. N.D.K. Dayawansa and Dr. M.M.M. Najim were the resource persons at
the workshop.
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Gender
& Water Dialogue (Feb, 2006) |
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This was a joint activity of Cap Net
Lanka, NetWwater, Lanka Jalani and National Council of Women held at Agrarian
Development Training Centre Pothuhera on 27th & 28th
February 2006. Poverty alleviation for rural women through water awareness was
the main theme of the programme. |
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The AGM was held on 3rd February, 2006 at the PGIA
Auditorium. Country Coordinator of Cap-Net Lanka Prof. E.R.N. Gunawardena
chaired the meeting. Twenty-one Members of Cap-Net Lanka were participated. Dr. M.I.M. Mowjood was selected as the new Country Coordinator of Cap-Net Lanka
since Prof. ERN Gunawardena took up the position as the Regional Coordinator of
Crossing Boundaries project in Hydrabad, India.
Report (.pdf) |
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Training Needs Assessment (Feb, 2006) |
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Need assessment for the
training in IWRM is a pre-requisite before expanding the capacity building
activities of the CapNet-Lanka. With this objective in mind, the CapNet-Lanka
initiated a training need assessment study. These studies extend from farmers up
to the professional and the decision makers in the water sector. |
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This study consisted
of two parts, namely
a) IWRM
training needs assessment of farmers, and
b) IWRM
training needs assessment of water sector institutions.
For the first study,
questionnaire survey and PRA technique was used for two farmer groups in
a minor and major irrigation scheme. Only a questionnaire survey was
adopted to cover major institutions of the water sector, NGOs and
academic community for decision makers, professionals and middle level
practitioners. The findings of these two studies were presented at the
National Workshop held on 3rd February 2006. Prof. E.R.N. Gunawardena and
Ms. K.M. Dilhani (IWRM
Student) presented their findings at the Workshop on Training Need
Assessment on IWRM.The outcome of this study would help the CapNet-Lanka
and other organizations interested in capacity building in IWRM to
prepare long term programmes.
presentation(.pdf)
Report (.pdf)
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Training workshop on water
policy (May, 2005) |
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The government of Sri Lanka has
attempted to introduce a national water resources policy with the main objective
of achieving an efficient and equitable allocation of water resources in order
to meet the short-term as well as long-term socio-economic and environmental
goals under a market economic frame work. This work was initiated with the
funding provided by the Asian Development Bank, FAO and Dutch Government since
1996. Though the original draft of the act has been approved by the Cabinet of
ministers in 2001, it was subjected to severe criticism made by the media,
environmental groups and the civil society. The public reaction on the water
policy is around several arguments: lack of transparency in the policy
formulation process, lack of historical cultural concern, lack of environmental
and resource conservation concerns, inadequate safety nets for the poor and
disadvantages segments of the society, more market oriented approach and
possibility of involvement of transnational cooperation.
As a result of these
problems and the rejection of the policy by the public, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation came up with an alternative
policy document. Those who were involved in drafting this policy
maintains that what is prepared and released to the public is a base
document with the objective of preparing a comprehensive national water
policy.
In 2005, two draft
water policies existed in Sri Lanka: The policy document initiated in
1996 and supported by foreign funds and experts with the Interim Water
Resources Authority of the then Ministry of River Basin, Mahaweli and
Rajarata Development and the alternative policy document which was
originated locally in 2004 (with no funding from external sources) and
was promoted by the then Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and
Irrigation. Two policy documents were promoted by two ministries of the
same government whilst no effective progress had been made towards
finalizing a water policy for Sri Lanka.
With this back ground,
the CapNet-Lanka along with the Board of Study in Agricultural
Engineering of the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of
Peradeniya initiated a Programme on Water Policy on 12th May
2005 with the following objectives.
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To raise awareness of water policy
principles of different water policies in the world in comparison to
the two draft water policies of Sri Lanka,
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To identify possible legal
implications of implementing these two water policies, and
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To identify major issues between those
two policies and find ways and means of closing the gap and to come
up with single water policy document for Sri Lanka.
There were 77 participants at the training
workshop. Personal who have been involved with the formulation of two
draft water policies along with the professionals in the water sector
were present as resource persons (This was the first occasion where both
groups discussed their respective water policies in a single forum).
Three out of four presentations during the training programme were made
by the post graduate students who are following the Post Graduate
Programme in IWRM at the PGIA. Key issues in relation to both policies
were identified. The major differences of policy principles between two
policies were also highlighted during the group work and panel
discussion. It was agreed to compile a document based on the discussion
and forward the same to the higher authorities for follow up action in
order to close the gap between two water policy documents and come up
with a single water policy acceptable to the people of Sri Lanka.
document (.pdf)
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National Workshop on Training of Trainers in IWRM (June,
2005) |
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The training
materials used for the Regional Tot was adopted and used for the
National Tot in IWRM which was held from 20th – 25th
June 2005 at the Post graduate Institute of Agriculture. This activity
was sponsored by the Global Caplet and the Post Graduate Institute of
Agriculture. |
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Hard copies and training materials on CDs were given to each
participant. The CDs included, a) training materials of the global TOT, b) IWRM
tutorials, c) preparation of IWRM plans and d) the power point presentations
made by the resource personal during the National TOT.
At the end of the
training programme a total of 23 participants were divided into groups
based on their type of work and institutional affiliations to prepare
future course of action. They were able to develop a course of action
for their own organization with the improved knowledge they gained
during the training programme. The participants expected the CapNet-Lanka
to support the activities identified by them with expert advice to
implement the proposed activities whenever possible.
This shows that the
little input from CapNet-Lanka through ToTs can help to improve the
current activities of existing institutions through capacity building.
The organizations mentioned above have required funds and are already
working in different areas of IWRM. The value addition to their current
activities through this training very well justifies the expenses
incurred by the CapNet-Lanka for the National ToT.
Report (.pdf)
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Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) in Integrated Water Resources
Management in South Asia (Nov, 2004) |
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The Regional Tot in IWRM was held from 7th – 14th November
2004 at the Post graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. This activity was sponsored by the global Caplet, Sri
Lanka National Water Partnership,
GWP, Advisory Centre of the International Water
Management Institute and the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture. |
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The regional ToT programme addressed many different
aspects, themes and principles of IWRM as well as innovative skills
needed for effective training and education of water sector
professionals and practitioners working in various aspects of water
resources management. The workshop was structured heavily on the
experience of the institutions and organizations that organized the
global workshop on training of trainers in Neuchatel, Switzerland in
June 2003 and the lessons learnt from that workshop.
The focus was on providing
training on the key elements of IWRM to build the capacity of trainers
to deliver effective training at regional/national levels. Attention
was also made on modern instructional techniques and access to resource
materials on IWRM. During the training programme, a total of 26
participants from four countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka) in the South Asian Region were taken to
a pilot project where transformation is taking place from an irrigation
agency to a river basin authority. The programme consisted of a
presentation by the River Basin Manager followed by a group discussion
with engineers and farmers. The participants were able to gain
information on the experience, constraints faced and advantages and
disadvantages of transformation to a river basin organization.
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