Financial Times

Water policy eludes Sri Lanka, SA region
Sri Lanka has a long way to go in the enactment of a National Water Policy after its latest attempt – about two years ago by the then government – failed but regional experts say a Water Policy has eluded many countries.

According to Khalid Mohtadullah, senior advisor to the Global Water Partnership (GWP), South Asia region, Sri Lanka is not the only country dragging its feet in formulating a water policy. “In many countries (in the South Asian region) this happens and a water policy is yet to emerge. Controversial issues like pricing of water and (waters across borders) become political ones,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters recently at the end of a South Asian preparatory meeting in Colombo ahead of the 4th World Water Forum due in Mexico in March 2006. Preparatory meetings are being held across the world representing different regions where common positions are being discussed.

Sri Lanka’s National Water Policy draft has been on the drawing boards for more than a decade but not got off the ground due to lack of political commitment, change of governments and lack of preparedness. The policy generally deals with the productive use of water, maximum its use, initiative rain water harvesting methods to preserve water, protect groundwater resources from excessive use and contamination, and pricing of water to consumers.

M.B. Adikaram, chairman of Lanka Jalani, a local water-related NGO, said arriving at a consensus on water issues in Sri Lanka would take a long time since there are many pros and cons over such a policy. Sri Lanka’s Nanda Abeywickrema, chairman of GWP, South Asia, said water was not an issue in the current presidential campaign although it was an issue at the last parliamentary polls in April 2004. Efforts to promote water harvesting in Sri Lanka hasn’t also succeeded while India and Pakistan has many success stories in this field.

Groups championing the need to empower women in the water rights debate have proliferated since the 3rd water forum held in Kyoto, Japan in 2003. Mohtadullah said the forum has brought to the fore the role of women in water management. A new Women’s Water Network was sharing information and networking in the region.

Adikaram also said more and more women are getting involved in advocacy and decision making on water issues.

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