The Mahaweli Strategy of Sri Lanka — Great Expectation of a Small Nation

Abstract

Sri Lanka, a small nation reputed for its ancient 'hydraulic civilization', is at present locked in a gigantic struggle to develop the resources of her mightiest river system-The Mahaweli. The Mahaweli Project is not merely another river development programme for the Government and people of Sri Lanka. In terms of the extent of land involved, the amount of financial and other resources in· vested, and the number of people directly affected or shifted, it pervades almost all aspects of the economy and life of the people of the Island. The visionaries of this massive project expected major achievements in the spheres of irrigated agriculture, hydro·power production, employment generation and population redistribution. The paper summarizes the salient characteristics of the Mahaweli Project, reviews its progress and discusses some of the challenges i[ has faced.