A management committee was formed to monitor the research and development program of the project Mainstreaming Climate Information Application for Enhancement of Argro-Ecosystem Services and Functions for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Nilwala Basin.

At a meeting which took place on 12 February 2013, Ms. Atukorala, District Secretary of Matara consulted with members of several national departments and representatives from farming communities on how best to further the progress of the project, which aims to mainstream information on climate change and disaster risk reduction into various aspects of everyday life in Sri Lanka.

Professor Weerasinghe, a consultant of ADPC, highlighted the need of regional and national committees to monitor and implement the findings of the project at policy level.The regional committee will consist of the following institutes: Ruhuna University; Matara District Irrigation Department; Irrigation Department, Southern Province; Department of Agrarian Services; Divisional secretaries from Matara, Malimboda, and Thihagoda; Provincial Department of Agriculture for the South; Environmental Authority; Ministry of Home Affairs; Department of Forestry; Department of Forest Conservation; Survey Department; Disaster Management Center; Meteorological Department and the Water supply and Drainage Board.

“ADPC and University of Ruhuna embarked jointly to resolve a long lasting problem in paddy ecosystems in the downstream of the Nilwala River, due to climate change associated natural hazards and human interventions,” said Ms. Atukorala, meeting chair.

For more information on ADPC’s work in climate risk management contact Senaka Basnayake, Department Head and Senior Climatologist at Senaka_basnayake@adpc.net