The workshop was organized by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU ) of the MWSIP with the support of environment specialists from the program.  The main focus of the all day meeting was the discussion of environment and social safeguards in the canal rehabilitation sites during the planned civil works..  In addition to social and environmental safeguards issues as embedded in the MWSIP program was a session on communications, with an emphasis on good public relations and the avoidance of negative press with a good risk communication plan in place. A representative from Asian Development Bank also took part the meeting to share the ADB compliance requirements for the safeguards program as similar to other construction work ongoing with the MWSIP

Attendees at the awareness conference include the MLBCRP Project Director and team, Contractor’s team members, subject matter specialists from MWSIP, representatives from farmer organizations and others invited from the Irrigation Management Division (IMD), Department of Irrigation, Department of Wild life Conservation and others bringing the total number of attendees to almost 60.

Published:- 21-02-2017

Health & Safety training series is conducted by Program Management Design & Supervision Consultant (PMDSC) at each time of contract is awarded & mobilized. This will be repeated during the implementation of the contracts.

Health & Safety Training for C

ontractor (MLBCRP-NCB1) was conducted in the project site of MLBCR  on the 4th January 2017 by PMDSC.

Entire staff of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) from the North Western Province Canal ( NWPC) Project participated at the Resettlement Planning Workshop held at NWPCP’s office on the 15th December 2016. The rationale for conducting this workshop was to prepare the officers with a clear understanding of Resettlement Implementation Plan (RIP).

The areas covered: Current Sri Lanka Resettlement Policy, ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009, RIPs for ADB and Sri Lankan government approvals, identification of gaps between National Involuntary Resettlement Policy (NIRP) and ADB policies, Resettlement Framework Elements, Initial Screening for Resettlement, Process of Land Acquisition, Valuation of lost assets, Implementation procedure on RIP proposals and recommendations, Livelihood restoration on affected persons and relocation, Income restoration and improvement, Grievance Redress Mechanism, Consultation and disclosure of RIP proposals.

Entire staff of Project Implementation Unit (PIU)  from the Upper Elahera Canal (UEC) Project has participated at the Resettlement Planning Workshop held at office of UEC on the 15th December 2016.

The rationale for conducting the workshop was  to prepare the officers with a clear understanding of Resettlement Implementation Plan (RIP).

2 day workshop to develop communication strategies and work plans for MWSIP’s Projects (MLBCRP, NWPCP,UECP) was held on 9th & 10th, November,2016 at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo.

Activities to be conducted under communication by each project were identified and planned in the workshop. 15 participants from above three projects and subject matter specialists from Program management Unit (PMU) and Program Management Design & Supervision Consultant (PMDSC) of MWSIP actively contributed for the workshop.

Members of MWSIP’s communication team held a session at field level  to develop communication work plan for each Project Implementation Units PIU) of the MWSIP.

First workshop was held in office of Upper Elahera canal Project (UECP) in end of November, 2016. Communication team and Project Director of UECP facilitated key staff of UECP to develop their communication work.

Similar session was held for North Western Province Canal Project (NWPCP) on 5th , Decembe,2016. NWPCP’s key staff and the Project Director joined for the session together with communication team.

Both team developed and finalized their communication work plan for entire project period subjected to annual revision.

Thirteen Officers from Project Management Unit (PMU) of MWSIP , Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Department of Irrigation, National Water Supply & Drainage Board and Program Management Design & Supervision have participated in a “RiverWare” Training Program from 6th- 8th December, 2016 held at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo.

“RiverWare” Model is developed by the Center for Advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems (CADSWES) of the University of Colorado.

This training has reinforced the “Water Allocation Model training “which was conducted by the PMDS Consultants. A senior engineer from PMU facilitated in the training.

Training was corporate by the Center for advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems (CADESWES) of the University of Colorado. The overall program was rated as “excellent but too short” by the participants. Further training on River Ware Model was requested by the participants.

MWSIP signed the contract agreement with NEM Construction (Pvt) Ltd, for the first construction package (NCB 1/NWPCP) of the North Western Province Canal Project (NEPCP). Secretary of Mahaweli Development & Environment, Program Director of MWSIP, and Director of the NEM construction (Pvt) Ltd signed the contract agreement on 2nd December,2016  in office of the Program Management Unit of the MWSIP at Colombo.

NEM Construction becomes the first partner in the construction process of the NWPCP with the signing of this first contract package of the project. NEM will commission the construction to Improve Wemedilla Left Bank Main Canal up to Nebadagahawatta (0+000km to 5+250km) and Construction of New Sluice and Tail Canal (0+000km to 0+600km) for Wemedilla tank.

Two young engineers from the North Western Province Canal ( NWPC) Project has participated at the Water Leadership Programme held from 10th – 22nd July 2016 at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore and joined a talented and diverse group of Water Leaders from public utility agencies, government ministries, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations from a host of different countries.

“Eng. W.M.D. Wijesinghe from the NWPC Project is making a presentation at the Water Leadership Programme in Singapore”