Prof. L. H. Lalith Rajapakse Director UMCSAWM , Visit and Landmark Agreement Strengthen National Water Resource Initiative

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News Hambantota, Sri Lanka - 2nd March 2026

Prof. L. H. Lalith Rajapakse Director UMCSAWM , Visit and Landmark Agreement Strengthen National Water Resource Initiative

Prof. L. H. Lalith Rajapakse, Director of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Chair on Sustainable Water Resources Management in South Asia at the University of Moratuwa (UMCSAWM), participated in a field visit to the Downsouth Hambantota Lunugamwehera Scheme on 26 February 2026. The visit provided valuable on-ground insights into ongoing water resource management efforts and reinforced the Centre’s commitment to sustainable and data-driven solutions.

Following the successful field engagement, the UMCSAWM team, led by Prof. Rajapakse, visited the Ministry of Environment to formalize an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement marks a significant step toward the establishment of a national-level database at the Centre, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening research, policy support, and regional collaboration in sustainable water resources management.

The proposed national database is expected to substantially enhance the Centre’s capacity to generate evidence-based insights and contribute meaningfully to environmental governance and resilience-building efforts across South Asia.

Prof. Rajapakse expressed his sincere gratitude to the Madanjeet Singh Foundation for its unwavering and generous support to the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Chair. He acknowledged that the Foundation’s steadfast commitment continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of UMCSAWM and promoting sustainable water resource management in the region.