Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management

The Ministry of Irrigation (Sinhala: වාරිමාර්ග අමාත්‍යාංශය; Tamil: நீர்ப்பாசன அமைச்சு) is the cabinet ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka responsible for:

• The development of the nation's water resources and irrigation infrastructure
• The management of river basins, groundwater sources and irrigation systems a by operation and/or maintenance
• Conservation and protection of sources of water (groundwater included), including monitoring pollution levels and ensuring water quality, as well as preventing salt water intrusions into fresh water sources
• Allocation of water resource use at a national level (not to be confused with the more in-depth functions of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board)
• Maintaining national drainage networks and flood protection systems
• Engineering consultancy services
• Oversight and promotion of rainwater harvesting.

To this end, the ministry drafts policies and legislation, as well as provides guidelines, advice and consultancy.