The Impact of Rehabilitation Approaches in the Sustainability of the Management of Small Tanks in Sri Lanka
Small tanks, the ancient man-made rain water storage
systems, support the pheasant life and agriculture of the dry zone of
Sri Lanka. Many small tanks were abandoned with time due to
various reasons. Such tanks, rehabilitated in the recent past, were
found to be less sustainable and most of these rehabilitation
approaches have failed. The objective of this research is to assess the
impact of the rehabilitation approaches in the management of small
tanks in the Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka with respect to eight
small tanks. A Sustainability index was developed using seven
indicators representing the ability and commitment of the villagers to
maintain these tanks. The sustainability index of the eight tanks
varied between 79.2 and 47.2 out of a total score of 100. The
conclusion is that, the approaches used for tank rehabilitation have a
significant effect on the sustainability of the management of these
small tanks.
[1] Brohier, R.L., "Ancient irrigation works in Ceylon," vol.I&II, Ceylon
1934.
[2] Central Bank of Sri Lanka,"Annual Report (2006)"Central Bank,Sri
Lanka, 2007.
[3] Department of Agrarian Development(2000), Wevamunu 10,000
sanwardhana wadasatahana kriyathmaka kireema pilimbanda upades,
Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation, Sri
Lanka,2000.
[4] Dharmasena, G.T. "Global Diversity and Multifunctional role of tank
irrigation in Sri Lanka," (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka:
Proceedings of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI,2004.
[5] Dharmasena, P.B., "Small tank heritage and current problems. (In) Small
tank settlements in Sri Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo:
HARTI, 2004.
[6] Farmer B.H., "Pioneer peasant colonization in Ceylon: a study in Asian
agrarian problems"Oxford,1957 pp 57-374.
[7] Gunasena, H.P.M., "Food security and small tank system in Sri Lanka"
(In) Proceedings of the workshop organized by the working committee
on Agricultural Science and Forestry, Sri Lanka,2000.
[8] Jayashantha, D.L.C., "Identification of minor tanks for rehabilitation:
Shift in selection approach," (In) Proceedings of the symposium on
Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs.
Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006
[9] Jayawardhena, G.D.D.T., Kumara P.D.S.S., Walisinghe B.R. "An
overview of minor tank rehabilitation process of dry zone agriculture
development project (CARE International)," (In) Proceedings of the
symposium on Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt
by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006.
[10] Kallesoe, M.F., Perera, H.D.B.S., Vidanage, S.P., "Multiple benefits of
small irrigation tanks and their economic value- a case study in the Kala
Oya basin in Sri Lanka," IUCN Sri Lanka, Asian region, 2005.
[11] Kumara, P.D.S.S., Abeysinghe, A.M.S.K., Gunawardena, I.P.P. "Post
minor tank rehabilitation of DZADP in Moneragala (Care International
Sri Lanka),"(In) Proceedings of the symposium on Development
initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri
Lanka, 2006
[12] Leach, E.R., "Pul Eliya, a village in Sri Lanka- a study of land tenure
and kinship," Cambridge, 1971, pp 147-175.
[13] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Catchment eco-systems and village tank
cascades in the dry zone," Dordecht, Holland, Ricdel Publishing
Company,1985.
[14] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Small tank cascade systems: their relevance
for minor irrigation rehabilitation (In) Small tank settlements in Sri
Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo: HARTI, 2004.
[15] Merrey, D.J., Rao, P.S., and Martin, E.,"Irrigation management research
in Sri Lanka," (In) A review of selected literature.IIMI occasional Paper.
International Irrigation Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka,1988.
[16] Ministry of Agriculture and Lands- Data book on village irrigation
schemes of Sri Lanka - Kurunegala district, Water management
Division, Department of Agrarian Services. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2000
[17] Panabokke,C.R., Sakthivadivel, R., Weerasinghe, A.D. "Small tanks in
Sri Lanka: evolution, present status and issues," International Water
Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[18] Sangrama (2005) Praja paalana wimasuma, Sangrama (A reflection on
Community Governance by Sangrama Organization), Nikaweratiya,
Unpublished.
[19] Shand,R."Irrigation and Agriculture in Sri Lanka," Colombo Institute of
Policy Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[20] Sivayoganathan, C., and Devarajah, K., "Minor tank development and
its impact on livelihood of rural households in Sri Lanka," Journal of the
Agricultural Engineering Society of Sri Lanka, 9:1-12, 2003.
[21] Sivayoganathan, C., Herath, H.M.G, Pinnaduwage, S., Bogahawatte,C.
"Socio economic evaluation of the village irrigation rehabilitation
project," 1991.
[22] Sivayoganathan C,. Mowjood,M.I.M., "Role of extension in irrigation
water management in Sri Lanka," (In) Tropical Agricultural Research
and Extension. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2003.
[23] Tennakoon,M.U.A., "Tanks are not mono functional: They are
multifunctiona,l" (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka : Proceedings
of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI, 2004.
[24] Wedathanthri, H.P., "Community participation in water management of
small tanks in Kotawehera," Proceedings of National workshop on water
for agriculture and rural development in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Irrigation
and Water Management, Food and Agriculture Organization and
Japanese Institute of Irrigation and Drainage, Marawila, Sri Lanka.
2003.
[25] Wedathanthri, H.P., Wijesinghe, B. and Perera, M.A.L. "Integrated
approach for small tank rehabilitation," (In) Proceedings of a
Symposium on Development Initiatives in Water Sector: Lessons Learnt
by NGOs. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2006.
[1] Brohier, R.L., "Ancient irrigation works in Ceylon," vol.I&II, Ceylon
1934.
[2] Central Bank of Sri Lanka,"Annual Report (2006)"Central Bank,Sri
Lanka, 2007.
[3] Department of Agrarian Development(2000), Wevamunu 10,000
sanwardhana wadasatahana kriyathmaka kireema pilimbanda upades,
Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation, Sri
Lanka,2000.
[4] Dharmasena, G.T. "Global Diversity and Multifunctional role of tank
irrigation in Sri Lanka," (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka:
Proceedings of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI,2004.
[5] Dharmasena, P.B., "Small tank heritage and current problems. (In) Small
tank settlements in Sri Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo:
HARTI, 2004.
[6] Farmer B.H., "Pioneer peasant colonization in Ceylon: a study in Asian
agrarian problems"Oxford,1957 pp 57-374.
[7] Gunasena, H.P.M., "Food security and small tank system in Sri Lanka"
(In) Proceedings of the workshop organized by the working committee
on Agricultural Science and Forestry, Sri Lanka,2000.
[8] Jayashantha, D.L.C., "Identification of minor tanks for rehabilitation:
Shift in selection approach," (In) Proceedings of the symposium on
Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs.
Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006
[9] Jayawardhena, G.D.D.T., Kumara P.D.S.S., Walisinghe B.R. "An
overview of minor tank rehabilitation process of dry zone agriculture
development project (CARE International)," (In) Proceedings of the
symposium on Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt
by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006.
[10] Kallesoe, M.F., Perera, H.D.B.S., Vidanage, S.P., "Multiple benefits of
small irrigation tanks and their economic value- a case study in the Kala
Oya basin in Sri Lanka," IUCN Sri Lanka, Asian region, 2005.
[11] Kumara, P.D.S.S., Abeysinghe, A.M.S.K., Gunawardena, I.P.P. "Post
minor tank rehabilitation of DZADP in Moneragala (Care International
Sri Lanka),"(In) Proceedings of the symposium on Development
initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri
Lanka, 2006
[12] Leach, E.R., "Pul Eliya, a village in Sri Lanka- a study of land tenure
and kinship," Cambridge, 1971, pp 147-175.
[13] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Catchment eco-systems and village tank
cascades in the dry zone," Dordecht, Holland, Ricdel Publishing
Company,1985.
[14] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Small tank cascade systems: their relevance
for minor irrigation rehabilitation (In) Small tank settlements in Sri
Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo: HARTI, 2004.
[15] Merrey, D.J., Rao, P.S., and Martin, E.,"Irrigation management research
in Sri Lanka," (In) A review of selected literature.IIMI occasional Paper.
International Irrigation Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka,1988.
[16] Ministry of Agriculture and Lands- Data book on village irrigation
schemes of Sri Lanka - Kurunegala district, Water management
Division, Department of Agrarian Services. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2000
[17] Panabokke,C.R., Sakthivadivel, R., Weerasinghe, A.D. "Small tanks in
Sri Lanka: evolution, present status and issues," International Water
Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[18] Sangrama (2005) Praja paalana wimasuma, Sangrama (A reflection on
Community Governance by Sangrama Organization), Nikaweratiya,
Unpublished.
[19] Shand,R."Irrigation and Agriculture in Sri Lanka," Colombo Institute of
Policy Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[20] Sivayoganathan, C., and Devarajah, K., "Minor tank development and
its impact on livelihood of rural households in Sri Lanka," Journal of the
Agricultural Engineering Society of Sri Lanka, 9:1-12, 2003.
[21] Sivayoganathan, C., Herath, H.M.G, Pinnaduwage, S., Bogahawatte,C.
"Socio economic evaluation of the village irrigation rehabilitation
project," 1991.
[22] Sivayoganathan C,. Mowjood,M.I.M., "Role of extension in irrigation
water management in Sri Lanka," (In) Tropical Agricultural Research
and Extension. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2003.
[23] Tennakoon,M.U.A., "Tanks are not mono functional: They are
multifunctiona,l" (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka : Proceedings
of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI, 2004.
[24] Wedathanthri, H.P., "Community participation in water management of
small tanks in Kotawehera," Proceedings of National workshop on water
for agriculture and rural development in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Irrigation
and Water Management, Food and Agriculture Organization and
Japanese Institute of Irrigation and Drainage, Marawila, Sri Lanka.
2003.
[25] Wedathanthri, H.P., Wijesinghe, B. and Perera, M.A.L. "Integrated
approach for small tank rehabilitation," (In) Proceedings of a
Symposium on Development Initiatives in Water Sector: Lessons Learnt
by NGOs. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2006.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:56273", author = "N.K.K. Welgama and W.A.D.P. Wanigasundera", title = "The Impact of Rehabilitation Approaches in the Sustainability of the Management of Small Tanks in Sri Lanka", abstract = "Small tanks, the ancient man-made rain water storage
systems, support the pheasant life and agriculture of the dry zone of
Sri Lanka. Many small tanks were abandoned with time due to
various reasons. Such tanks, rehabilitated in the recent past, were
found to be less sustainable and most of these rehabilitation
approaches have failed. The objective of this research is to assess the
impact of the rehabilitation approaches in the management of small
tanks in the Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka with respect to eight
small tanks. A Sustainability index was developed using seven
indicators representing the ability and commitment of the villagers to
maintain these tanks. The sustainability index of the eight tanks
varied between 79.2 and 47.2 out of a total score of 100. The
conclusion is that, the approaches used for tank rehabilitation have a
significant effect on the sustainability of the management of these
small tanks.", keywords = "Minor irrigation schemes, Participatory, Small
Tanks, Sustainable, Water resource management.", volume = "6", number = "12", pages = "3521-10", }
