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Modernisation of Sri Lanka's Traditional Irrigation Systems and Sustainability*

Lareef Zubair is at the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction, Earth Institute of Columbia University, P.O. Box 1000, Palisades, New York 10964–8000, USA. E–mail: lareef@iri.columbia.edu.

Arnold Toynbee described the ancient irrigation system of Sri Lanka as an amazing system of irrigated agriculture, which developed over a millennium. It was partially transformed during its encounter with British colonialism with new values, technological systems, administrative structures and a legal code. After the independence in 1948, this transformation continued with foreign aid and technical expertise from the West.

The shortcomings of modern irrigation systems with respect to planning, policy and sustainability are now recognised (WCDD 2000). Here, it is argued that the indigenous irrigation systems in Sri Lanka offer a useful counterpoint of one that has been sustained and had many favourable attributes. There are lessons to be learnt from contrasting different modes of irrigation practice in the light of sustainability.

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