The Grant Agreement for the Transforming Irrigation Systems for Improved Food Security Project was formally signed today (19 December 2025) at the General Treasury, Colombo, between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, while Ms. Cholpon Mambetova, Country Operations Head, ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission, signed on behalf of the Asian Development Bank.

Funding for the project will be mobilized through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) amounting to USD 3 million, along with USD 1.63 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Sri Lanka.

The project aims to introduce innovative, climate-resilient irrigation solutions to strengthen water security and support agriculture in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, which continues to face prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, and declining crop productivity. Nearly 99% of the national irrigation network consists of open, gravity-fed earthen canals with low conveyance efficiency, resulting in substantial water losses and reduced yields.

Through this initiative, four pilot Pipe Distribution Network (PDN) schemes will be implemented in the North Western and Uva Provinces, covering approximately 877 hectares across existing irrigated command areas and adjacent rain-fed uplands. The identified locations include Kirindigalla GN Division under Ridi Bendi Ela feeder canal, feeder canal areas under the Magalla Reservoir, feeder canal areas under Inginimitiya Reservoir in the North Western Province, and the Meegas Ara small tank cascade system in the Uva Province.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation will serve as the Executing Agency, while the Irrigation Department will act as the Implementing Agency responsible for technical delivery. The project will be implemented from 2026 to 2029.