The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $3 million grant to address water shortages in Sri Lanka’s Northwestern and Uva provinces by constructing modern pipe distribution network (PDN) systems. The initiative aims to provide irrigation to 877 hectares of farmland, supporting improvements in the country’s agriculture sector.
This effort, known as the Transforming Irrigation Systems for Improved Food Security Project, is funded by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), which is financed by the Government of Japan through the ADB.
As part of the project, four modern PDN systems will be constructed on a pilot basis. The project will benefit 943 farming households, offering technical and institutional insights to demonstrate the advantages of PDN systems. The broader adoption of this irrigation technology is planned for areas included in the proposed second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program.
“ADB is proud to partner with the Government of Japan to support Sri Lanka’s agricultural production by piloting the use of PDN systems in rainfed lands and canal-based irrigated lands. PDN systems improve water use efficiency, can be operated on demand, and are well suited for water-scarce conditions,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono. “Seasonal rainwater, particularly in the dry zone, limits farmers’ maximization of land use, and compromises food security and economic returns.”
The project includes the construction of two small-scale gravity PDN systems and a pumped pressure PDN system in the Northwestern Province, as well as a large-scale gravity PDN system in the Uva Province. These systems will provide water for paddy and upland crops. Many smallholder farmers in these provinces grow crops using major, medium, and minor irrigation systems, as well as under rainfed conditions. Located in the dry and intermediate climatic zones, these regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The introduction of high-efficiency PDN systems will help minimize water losses associated with traditional canal-based irrigation, enhance water-use efficiency through on-demand irrigation, and support the cultivation of high-value crops in upland areas.
In late November, Sri Lanka was struck by Cyclone Ditwah, resulting in the country’s worst flooding in two decades and the deadliest natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami. The cyclone damaged over 160,000 hectares of paddy fields, nearly 96,000 hectares of other crops, and 13,500 hectares of vegetables. Through this project, ADB aims to support communities in recovering from such disasters while strengthening long-term resilience and building back better.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank committed to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1966 and owned by 69 members—50 from the region—the bank works with its partners to address complex challenges, mobilize innovative financial tools, and foster strategic partnerships to improve lives, develop quality infrastructure, and safeguard the environment.
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