Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Friday, 20 March 2026 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to implement a Rs. 646 million grant-funded project aimed at strengthening post-review monitoring of industrial wastewater and improving data-driven environmental policymaking, with a special focus on the Kelani River.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa and Tohoku University, has received financial backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development program.
The CEA, which regulates industrial wastewater disposal through the issuance of Environmental Protection Licences, has accumulated a significant volume of data through its post-review assessments of water quality in the Kelani River. While this data presents opportunities for more informed review and regulatory decision-making, authorities have faced persistent challenges in effectively analysing it and identifying specific sources of pollution.
Officials have cited a shortage of adequately trained officers and limited technical facilities to process and forecast environmental data as key constraints in monitoring the real condition of wastewater discharge and tracing pollutant origins.
The newly approved project, titled “Establish a Large-scale Data System for Post-Reviewing of the Aquatic Environment and Carrying Out Data-Driven Policies,” seeks to address these gaps by developing an advanced data management and analysis framework. The system is expected to enhance the CEA’s capacity to interpret water quality data, improve enforcement of environmental regulations, and support evidence-based policymaking.
The Cabinet clearance was granted following a resolution submitted by the Environment Minister to secure and implement the Rs. 646 million grant from the JICA.
