President Rajapaksa launches new water information system during visit to IWMI

Monday, 20 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially launched a new, hi-tech information system that promises to enhance water management in the South Asian country. The Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System, developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), provides facts, figures and maps on trends in water availability, use and quality for the country, where water continues to be a critical issue.

The tool is available free online and is the first of its kind for helping scientists and policymakers in Sri Lanka to accurately monitor the dynamics of the country’s water resources. It also provides a secure platform for cooperation among all the agencies involved in water management to share their data. President Rajapaksa officially launched the system during a special visit to IWMI’s headquarters in Colombo. “It is a great honour for IWMI to welcome President Mahinda Rajapaksa at our headquarters, and to formally launch the Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System,” said IWMI Director General Jeremy Bird. “While many parts of Sri Lanka have an abundance of water resources, huge areas experience water scarcity and hence competition among the uses for people’s individual needs and livelihoods, food production, industry, tourism as well the country’s stunning wildlife. Growing threats from climate change will intensify that competition, which means that it is more important than ever to manage water resources efficiently and sustainably.” “Tools such as the information system play a part in supporting Sri Lanka’s continued development, economic growth and future prosperity.” Visit the Sri Lanka Water Resources Information System at http://slwater.iwmi.org/.