Financial Times

Consultation on dams with all stakeholders
During a recent dialogue on dams in Sri Lanka, four case studies on the proposed dams at Kotmale, Weheragala, Deduru Oya and Moragahakanda were presented for critical comment by the participants.

The sessions included a stakeholder panel discussion of environmentalists, farmers and government officers to debate the strategic priorities related to dam construction and alternate opinions were presented. Dr. Eng. Khin Ni Ni Thein, Senior Advisor Dams and Development Project (UNEP) made a special presentation sharing the DDP's global experiences in this field, according to a statement issued by the organisers.

The consultation earlier this month was the first Sri Lanka National Dialogue on Dams and Development. It was organised jointly by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management, Network of Women Water Professionals (NetWwater) and the Interim National Water Resources Authority.

The meeting is the first in a series planned for extending the stakeholder participation in the planning of dams and development. The organiser said they plan to launch regional dialogues in early 2004 focusing on areas where dams have been proposed so as to capture a wider range of stakeholder views.

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