A framework for groundwater policy for Sri Lanka

Abstract

Except in Jaffna peninsula groundwater has never been used on a large scale in the past. From late 1970's, various government and non-government agencies have been involved in groundwater development. In 1989 with a subsidy scheme, financial aid was given to farmers for construction of agro-wells leading to expansion of the use of groundwater for irrigation. In addition, groundwater has been exploited by industries in the recent past as well. As at present intensive irrigation practices and the over use of agrochemicals has caused deterioration of groundwater quality in many parts of the country. Water quantity issues have arisen with uncontrolled digging of wells, over abstraction and construction of agro-wells without following the recommendations. There are numbers of existing regulations and recommendations to address the issues regarding the sustainable groundwater usage in Sri Lanka. Some recommendations are suggested and some are already applied. But those problems still remains unsolved primarily due to inconsistent and ad-hoc approach which does not address the problem in a coordinated manner. When consider other countries and the way they deal with issues of groundwater, implementing of a coherent policy can be a better option. Before developing a policy it is necessary to identify how other countries address each of their major groundwater issues through such policies.In this respect, groundwater policies of South Africa, Goa and Tamil Nadu in India, California, Scotland, New South Wales in Australia and China were reviewed in addition to the existing groundwater regulation in Sri Lanka. Based on the review, a framework for groundwater policy for Sri Lanka was drafted.