About Us

A considerable amount of research work is carried out by scientists in the water sector. However, the outputs are not well disseminated and therefore, gaps and overlaps in research exist. Furthermore, decision makers are unable to readily access the information, and it is difficult to make the correct decisions in time. This gap was discussed for a long time; for example, at the National Workshop on Water Related Research held in 1998. The need to establish a mechanism to coordinate water research in Sri Lanka and disseminate the results has been identified as primary needs for the water sector was well accepted, but no meaningful steps have been taken yet. In 2006, the task of effecting coordination among various water researchers was entrusted to the then Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mahaweli Development. Subsequent to the change of Ministries in 2007, the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services carried on with this work. On the request of the Ministry, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka agreed to design and host a web site as a forum to coordinate and disseminate research outputs and related data.

Based on the proposals made by stakeholder institutions, the website was designed as a forum to share water related information, thus broadening the scope. It is designed in such a way that the water-related institutions are easily accessed. However, the website will only provide links to the relevant websites of the institutions. While facilitating the exchange of research related information, the design will allow retaining the identity of research institutions.

This website will have to be further developed based on the input from stakeholder institutions. While agreeing that it is not an immediate solution to data access difficulties and information dissemination shortcomings, we are hopeful that it will be a starting point for a positive change.