The Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project (AMP) stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most ambitious development initiatives, shaping the nation’s economy, environment, and society. Rooted in a 50-year history of dry zone rehabilitation and irrigation development, the project marked the culmination of efforts initiated by Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake, during his tenure as Agriculture Minister under British rule.
As the project reaches its 40th anniversary, it is essential to reflect on its achievements, challenges, and enduring legacy. This review integrates insights from various sources, including the work of Professor Gerald Pieris, to evaluate the project comprehensively.
Historical Foundations of Dry Zone Development
Sri Lanka’s journey of irrigation and colonization began in the 1930s when D.S. Senanayake spearheaded efforts to restore ancient irrigation tanks and systems. These initiatives aimed to address land hunger among the Kandyan peasantry, whose ancestral lands had been converted into coffee and tea plantations during British colonization.
The post-independence era saw the launch of the Gal Oya Project, Sri Lanka’s first multipurpose development initiative, combining irrigation, power generation, and settlement. While the project was initially successful, it faced setbacks due to ethnic tensions and anti-Tamil riots.
The groundwork laid by successive governments culminated in the Mahaweli Development Project, conceptualized during Dudley Senanayake’s tenure (1965–1970). A UNDP-FAO Master Plan prepared in 1969 envisioned a 30-year timeline to transform 40% of Sri Lanka’s landmass through irrigation, hydropower, and resettlement programs.
The Accelerated Mahaweli Programme
In 1977, President J.R. Jayewardene compressed the 30-year Mahaweli Master Plan into an ambitious 7-year program. The Accelerated Mahaweli Programme (AMP) became a reality through substantial foreign aid and the leadership of Gamini Dissanayake, the charismatic Minister of Mahaweli Development.
Key Components of the AMP
The AMP included the construction of major dams and reservoirs such as Victoria
(UK-funded), Kotmale (Sweden-funded), Randenigala (Germany-funded), and Maduru
Oya (Canada-funded). The irrigation system expanded to cover 365,000 hectares,
while hydropower stations generated over 700 MW, meeting half of Sri Lanka’s
peak electricity demand. Settlement programs allocated 2.5-acre plots to over
80,000 families in areas such as System H and System C, creating new rural
communities.
Achievements and Contributions
The AMP’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s development are substantial. The project expanded irrigated agriculture, boosting paddy cultivation and achieving greater food self-sufficiency. Hydropower provided a stable, renewable energy source that reduced the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and insulated the economy from oil price shocks.
Resettlement programs created vibrant rural communities and improved living standards through infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals. However, the settlers largely relied on subsistence farming, as plans to cultivate high-value cash crops were not fully realized.
Challenges and Shortfalls
Despite its achievements, the AMP faced significant challenges. Large tracts of land in areas like System B remain underutilized due to insufficient development. Corruption and mismanagement undermined efficiency, tarnishing the project’s reputation. Settlement policies, which altered the demographic composition of the Eastern Province, fueled ethnic grievances and exacerbated conflicts. Environmental concerns, including deforestation and reservoir silting, further reduced the efficiency of irrigation and hydropower systems.
Lessons from the Gal Oya Project
The AMP can be contrasted with the Gal Oya Project, which set benchmarks for planning and execution. Gal Oya maintained meticulous records and provided settlers with extensive agrarian guidance, ensuring higher productivity. In comparison, AMP settlers lacked adequate support, limiting their ability to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.
Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned
While the AMP succeeded in its primary goals of irrigation and hydropower development, its broader vision of economic transformation remains unrealized. Key gaps include the failure to develop export-oriented agriculture, inadequate investment in post-harvest infrastructure, and insufficient policies to enhance paddy farming productivity.
Conclusion
The Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project is a monumental achievement in Sri Lanka’s development history, transforming the dry zone and laying the groundwork for rural economic growth. However, it also reflects the pitfalls of rushed implementation, inadequate planning for long-term sustainability, and failure to address underlying social and environmental challenges.
As Sri Lanka faces new economic and environmental hurdles, the lessons of the Mahaweli Project serve as a reminder of the importance of visionary planning, robust governance, and a holistic approach to sustainable development. By building on these lessons, Sri Lanka can pave the way for future initiatives that align economic progress with social equity and environmental stewardship.
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