Introduction
The Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project (AMP) is one of the most ambitious development initiatives in Sri Lanka’s history, shaping its economy, environment, and society. It was the culmination of a 50-year-long journey of dry zone rehabilitation and irrigation development, initiated by Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake, when he was the Agriculture Minister under British rule. The AMP marked the apex of a series of projects such as Gal Oya and Uda Walawe and became the cornerstone of rural transformation in Sri Lanka.
Forty years after its launch, it is timely to reflect on the achievements, shortfalls, and lasting legacy of the project. This review integrates insights from published materials, official records, and expert advice, notably from Professor Gerald Pieris, to analyze the project comprehensively.
Historical Background of Dry Zone Development
The journey of irrigation and colonization in Sri Lanka’s dry zone began in the 1930s when D.S. Senanayake undertook the restoration of ancient irrigation tanks and systems. His policy aimed to alleviate land hunger among the Kandyan peasantry, whose ancestral lands had been confiscated during British colonization for coffee and tea plantations. This rehabilitation effort laid the foundation for transforming abandoned lands in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kantalai into productive agricultural zones.
After independence in 1948, Senanayake launched the Gal Oya Project, Sri Lanka’s first multipurpose development scheme, financed by local resources. It was a resounding success, combining irrigation, power generation, and settlement without corruption or mismanagement. However, the project’s progress was later marred by anti-Tamil riots.
Subsequent governments expanded the vision, culminating in the Mahaweli Development Project. During Dudley Senanayake’s government (1965–1970), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) were commissioned to prepare a Master Plan. This 1969 report envisaged a 30-year timeline to develop 40% of Sri Lanka’s landmass, encompassing the Mahaweli, Kala Oya, and Maduru Oya basins. It proposed the construction of major dams, power generation (470 MW), irrigation for 365,000 hectares, and the settlement of 250,000 families.
The Accelerated Mahaweli Programme (AMP)
In 1977, under President J.R. Jayewardene, the AMP compressed the 30-year Master Plan into a 7-year timeline. This ambitious acceleration was enabled by substantial foreign aid, goodwill from Western nations, and a charismatic Minister of Mahaweli Development, Gamini Dissanayake.
Key Components of the AMP:
- Dams and Reservoirs:
- Victoria (UK-funded)
- Kotmale (Sweden-funded)
- Randenigala (Germany-funded)
- Maduru Oya (Canada-funded)
- Irrigation Systems:
- Network of canals and reservoirs irrigating 365,000 hectares.
- Hydropower Generation:
- Power stations producing over 700 MW, meeting 50% of the country’s electricity needs at peak.
- Settlement Programs:
- Allocation of 2.5-acre plots to families in System H (Maduru Oya), System C, and other areas.
Achievements and Contributions
- Agriculture:
- The AMP expanded Sri Lanka’s irrigated land, leading to increased paddy cultivation and food self-sufficiency.
- The original plan’s vision to allocate 55% of the land for cash crops was not fully realized, with most settlers relying on subsistence farming.
- Energy:
- Hydropower generation from Mahaweli dams provided a stable, renewable energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and insulating the economy from oil price shocks.
- Resettlement:
- Over 80,000 families were resettled, creating vibrant rural communities.
- However, inadequate infrastructure and follow-up support limited the settlers’ ability to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Roads, schools, and hospitals enhanced living standards in resettled areas.
Challenges and Shortfalls
- Land Utilization:
- Large tracts of land, particularly in System B, remain underutilized due to inadequate development and infrastructure.
- Corruption:
- The AMP faced widespread allegations of corruption, tarnishing its legacy. Mismanagement of contracts and favoritism undermined the efficiency of downstream development.
- Ethnic Tensions:
- Settlement policies altered the demographic composition of the Eastern Province, fueling ethnic grievances. Tamil communities were underrepresented in land allocation, exacerbating the ethnic conflict.
- Environmental Concerns:
- Deforestation and poor land use practices contributed to reservoir silting and changes in rainfall patterns, reducing the efficiency of irrigation and hydropower systems.
Comparative Analysis with the Gal Oya Project
- Planning and Execution:
- Gal Oya maintained meticulous records and was largely free of corruption, setting a benchmark for public projects.
- The AMP, despite its achievements, lacked the same level of precision and transparency.
- Settler Support:
- Gal Oya provided extensive support to settlers, including agrarian guidance and monitoring.
- The AMP settlers were left to their own devices, limiting agricultural productivity.
Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned
While the AMP’s dams and power stations were completed on schedule, its broader vision of economic transformation remains unfulfilled. Key gaps include:
- Failure to develop high-value cash crops and export-oriented agriculture.
- Lack of investment in post-harvest infrastructure, such as cool storage and transport facilities.
- Inadequate policies to raise productivity in paddy farming.
Conclusion
The Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project stands as a monumental achievement in Sri Lanka’s development history. It transformed the dry zone, expanded renewable energy capacity, and laid the groundwork for rural economic growth. However, it also reflects missed opportunities in downstream development, ethnic reconciliation, and governance.
Forty years later, the AMP’s legacy reminds us of the importance of visionary planning, robust implementation, and the need for a holistic approach to sustainable development. As Sri Lanka faces new economic and environmental challenges, the lessons of the Mahaweli Project can guide future development initiatives.
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