Sri Lanka and Japan have signed agreements for a Japanese grant worth approximately Rs. 4.56 billion to improve flood management in areas surrounding the Kelani River.
The Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement for the Project for the Improvement of the Pump Station in Kelani River were signed on Wednesday (28) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Exchange of Notes was signed by Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma, representing the Government of Sri Lanka, and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata, representing the Government of Japan.
The Grant Agreement was subsequently signed by Suriyapperuma and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Shigeo Honzu.
The grant, amounting to JPY 2.179 billion, is being provided through JICA under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme.
The project aims to address persistent flooding in the Mudun Ela Sub-basin, particularly in the Wattala and Peliyagoda areas, which are vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Kelani River.
Under the project, a new pumping station with a discharge capacity of 15 cubic metres per second will be constructed alongside a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) monitoring and control system.
The facility is expected to improve drainage by efficiently discharging stormwater when water levels in the Kelani River rise, significantly reducing flood risks in surrounding communities.
According to the Ministry, the project will help protect residential areas, businesses, industries and transport infrastructure from flood-related damage while supporting economic activities and sustainable urban development.
The improved flood management infrastructure is also expected to support Peliyagoda’s continued development as a major commercial, logistics and transportation hub.
In addition, the project is expected to strengthen climate resilience and improve flood management across the Colombo Metropolitan Region.
The Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) will implement the project under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
The Ministry said the grant demonstrates Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
