Way beyond the JICA Technical Cooperation Project on water quality monitoring

Tuesday, 27 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The final workshop on the project for monitoring the water quality of the major water bodies held on 22 February at the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment.

The officials of the same Ministry, Ministry of industry and commerce, Central Environmental Authority, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, BOI, Irrigation department and Mahaweli Authority participated in the workshop.

JICA formulated this project in 2014 and the activities commenced with the dispatch of a team of Japanese experts in February 2015. As the term of the project was three years, the project is scheduled to be completed at end of February 2018. The project is being implemented concentrating on the Kalani river basin. The purpose of the project was to strengthen the enforcement capacity of CEA and its regional branch offices of the Kalani River basin on water quality management.

The following are the outputs of the project at the completion:

Preparation of ambient water quality standards and categorisation of water bodies
Strengthening of water quality analysis capacity of CEA officers
Accreditation of CEA laboratory to ISO 17025
Preparation of inspection guideline and strengthening of CEA staff on inspection
Preparation of web based pollution source inventory (PSI) monitoring system including EPL status
Strengthening of enforcement capacity and promotion of acquisition of EPL
Preparation of web based environmental information management system

JICA extended cooperation for achieving above outputs concentrating on the Kalani River basin. Now it is time to take up the baton and expand same model in other major water bodies by the Ministry and the CEA as stipulated in the overall goal of the project. JICA has recognised the dedicated work of both CEA staff and the team of Japanese experts for achieving project goals under the above outputs. Senior representative of JICA Sri Lanka Dr. Toru Kobayakawa in the last Joint Coordination Committee Meeting held recently requested both the Ministry and CEA management to expand the project to other major water bodies which gives meaning and justification to the JICA cooperation.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). JICA – the world biggest bilateral aid agency – works in over 150 countries and regions. In accordance with its vision of “Inclusive and Dynamic Development,” JICA supports the resolution of development issues in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance since 1954 and is one of the biggest donors to the country. On behalf of the people and the Government of Japan, JICA contributes to improve life of people in Sri Lanka.