The government of Japan has agreed to provide a grant of 2.179 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately Rs. 4.56 billion, to Sri Lanka for a project aimed at reducing flood risks in Wattala and Peliyagoda.
The grant will fund the Project for the Improvement of the Pump Station in the Kelani River basin under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Exchange of Notes for the grant was signed at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, the Secretary to the Ministry signed on behalf of the Sri Lankan government, while Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata represented the government of Japan.
A separate grant agreement was also signed by Dr. Suriyapperuma and Shigeo Honzu, Chief Representative of the JICA Sri Lanka Office.
The project aims to provide a long-term solution to flooding in the Mudun Ela sub-basin, which covers parts of Wattala and Peliyagoda, where rising water levels in the Kelani River can hamper the drainage of stormwater, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
Under the project, a new pumping station with a discharge capacity of 15 cubic metres per second will be installed alongside a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) monitoring and control system.
The new infrastructure is expected to improve the efficient discharge of stormwater during periods when the Kelani River rises, thereby reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding communities.
The project is also expected to protect residential areas, businesses, industries and transport infrastructure while supporting sustainable urban development and improving conditions for investment.
Peliyagoda, an important commercial, logistics and transportation centre, is expected to benefit from improved flood management and greater resilience to climate-related risks, the Finance Ministry noted.
The project will be implemented by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.