The planning implications of the Mahaweli Development Project in Sri
Lanka
Published by the Department of Information,1976
By Manel De Silva, Published by Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha, Ratmalana, 1998.01. The Blurring of a vision – The Mahaweli
Its Social, Economic and Political implications.
Edited by: H P Muller and S T Hettige
Published by: Sarvodaya Book Publishing Services, 1995
341 p.
This book is a general evaluation and analysis of the accelerated Mahaweli Development Project by an inter-disciplinary group of specialists with insider knowledge, expertise and multi-disciplinarily as well as objectivity and a high degree of empathy at a seminar held in Switzerland.The approach adopted is sociological and is based on four major aspects: (1) the complexity of the technical structure (ii) the productivity and functional differentiation of households and local communities (iii) the relative autonomy of local organizations and (iv) the qualitative aspects of social integration of various sections of the population.
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02. The Great Sandy River:
Class and gender transformation among pioneer settlers in
Sri Lana’s Frontier by Darshini Anna de Zoysa
This book is based on the Mahaweli Development Programme, Sri Lanka’s largest multi-purpose irrigation and settlement scheme. A critical assessment as with most Programmes of this kind, it is based on the premise that humans must control nature rather than be an integral part of it. As the author discusses the island’s great sandy river has precipitated massive population displacement and the genesis of internal refugees in the frontier zone. Yet in the pioneering setting internally displaced people have rallied against development which treats irrigation canals like pieces of plumbing, and evacuees as a passive target group which, as the metaphor implies, can be ‘hit’ if the appropriate policy prescriptions are made. So although frontiers people do not articulate their experiences in distinct class and gender terms, they are not unaware of such issues, nor devoid of power altogether.This publication was supported by the Centre for Asian Studies Amsterdam (CASA) University of Amsterdam and the Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement of Tropical Research (WOTRO)
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03. The planning implications of the Mahaweli Development Project in Sri
Lanka by M W J G Mendis. Published by Lake House Investments Limited, 1973. 154 p.This study is concerned with the planning implications arising from a scheme prepared by the UNDP/FAO of the United Nations, to develop the water resources of the basins of the Mahaweli and its associated rivers in the north-central and north-eastern areas of Sri Lanka.
The discussion in the study has been carried out in three parts. Part I is introduces the existing national setting so as to focus attention on the background upon which this project is being initiated. The specific regional area covered by the proposed development is also introduced in this part. In addition, the organizational and legislative aspects are concerning the project and its relationship with the existing framework for town and country planning in Sri Lanka.
Part II comprises the analytical portion of the study. It begins by critically evaluating the recommendations made by the UN team for the planning of new village settlements to accommodate the incoming agro-based population.
Part III of the study comprises the conclusions and recommendations.
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04. Down of the Mahaweli Era (a booklet)
Published by the Department of Information,1976This Publication marks the ceremonial commissioning of the Stage I of the Mahaweli diversion project at Polgolla by Mrs. Sirimavo R D Bandaranaike, in 1976. It includes the history and introduction of Mahaweli project, Polgolla diversion dam and tunnel and the Ukuwela power house and also brief description of the Bowatenna dam.
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05. Mahaweli and Maduru Oya : a tale of two rivers (a booklet)Published by Ministry of Mahaweli Development published the booklet on the occasion of the completion of the Maduru Oya reservoir complex.
This book contains with the history of Maduru oya the major project taken up for construction under the accelerated mahaweli programme and also finding of the ancient sluice and bund named Bisokotuwa.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------06. On the way to Randenigala : Poems book
By Manel De Silva, Published by Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha, Ratmalana, 1998.This booklet contains poems written by the author to attempt to convey something of the joy that she felt in the natural beauty of this country with some real incidents happens through her journey via Mahaweli Ganga.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------07. The Truth about the Mahaweli (a book)
By Gamini Iriyagolla. Published by the author in 1978.
The book is a very provocative and contains with the detailed with maps and tables and collects a lot of materials from Mahaweli Master plan, UNDP reports and all the other reports done before the acceleration Mahaweli Development Project.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------08. Mahaweliya (a Sinhala poet book)
By Wimal Abesundara. Published by Mahaweli Development Board, 1976. 166p.
This Sinhala poetry book published by the Mahaweli Development Board to mark the Mahaweli new era.
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09. History of Maduru Oya. (a booklet)
By Somapala Jayawardhana. Cultural Publications Co.Ltd. Published by the Cultural Publications Co.Ltd, 1982. 15p.A Booklet described the history of Maduru Oya and its adjacent regions named Antaraganga and Kottivala situated in the ancient Rohanamandala, the southern territorial district of ancient Sri Lanka.
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10. Mahaweli Saga: challenge and response.
Published by Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, 1985.103 p.This book is the result of the realization by the late. Hon.Gamini Dissanayake then Minister of Lands, Land Development and Mahaweli Development of the need for a comprehensive story of the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme, as it interact on all aspects of the lives of the Sri Lankan people.
Even there have been many news items, feature articles, magazines, photo features or critical studies of the mahaweli project, non have so far covered the dramatic impact of the Mahaweli programme on the history, traditions, culture, life-style, development and environment, as this book has done.
The attractive book has written by Ahbaya Attanayake and B H Hemapriya who were directly associated with the Mahaweli Authority and C M Madduma Bandara and J B Dissanayake, are academics who have moved closely and studied many aspects of the people who will be affected one way or another, by the Accelerated Mahaweli programme.
------------------------------------------------------------11. Mahaweli Wansa ( Sinhala ) Vol. 1 & 2
Mahaweli Authority publication published by CECB,1985.
These volumes contain descriptive history of Mahaweli Ganga and adjoining basins with all the details which could be used as Mahaweli Encyclopedia.
------------------------------------------------------------12. Effects of deforestation and of tree planting on the hydrology of the Upper Mahaweli Catchment: a review of the published evidence.
By W. Finlayson. Published by Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka., 1998.
The book has written by the author thought no one has been attempted to bring together all the relevant topics such as hydrology, soil erosion and sedimentation, forest practice and other aspects of land use in relation to the Upper Mahaweli and to act as a guide to decision-making by all those who are in a position to influence land use in this catchments.The point of this study has really been to try to answer some simple enough questions about land use in the Upper Mahaweli Catchments. They can even be reduced to just two main ones:
* Should any further destruction of closed natural forest be permitted?
* Should new forest plantations be made on patina land?
------------------------------------------------------------13 An assessment of the importance of complementary urban policies for the development of the Accelerated Mahaweli Region. By D Daluwatta, 1985. 81p.
A thesis document submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award M.Sc. degree in Town and Country Planning.This study assesses the importance of a properly formulated policy frame in Planning for Urban Centres to make them complementary in socio-economic development of the agricultural settlements coming under the Mahaweli Programme.
The book contains two broad sections; a theory and experience of some previous development strategies in order to emphasis the importance and the ways of using urban component for the development of predominantly rural regions. It includes the analytical descriptions for socio-economic situation and the impact of proposed urban centres of the programme in socio-economic development of the agricultural settlements of the area. And also contains the case study of Giradurukotte urban area.
It also examined the means and ways to create a more dynamic urban component that would complement the contribution of other component like agriculture, hydropower and social services in the integrated development of the Mahaweli programme area.
------------------------------------------------------------14. Examination of certain aspects of the Mahaweli development Programme in its exercise to harness natural resources for development. By T H Karunatilleke. 1985.
A dissertation submitted by the author for M.A (Geography) degree in 1983.
The author examined the main aspects of the Mahaweli Development Programme (MDP) and in its exercise of utilizing land and water resources. Mahaweli is the biggest development effort of this nature at lease after the decline of the ancient irrigation civilization as he described. In this context the benefits of the MDP were thoroughly examined.
------------------------------------------------------------15. Role of extension on securing farmer participation in water management with special reference to Mahaweli Development project, Sri Lanka.
By M H Jayasuriya, 1985
A dissertation submitted to the partial fulfillment of M.Sc. in Agriculture extension, University Reading, 1985.In this book focuses upon farmer participation on irrigation projects and various aspects of farmer participation and discussed relation to irrigation management.
It also analysis the systems of management involved in irrigation and the role of the farmer in each of these systems was also looked into. The three systems of management were identified, namely, the bureaucratically managed system, the Joint system of management and the Communal system which different degree of farmer involvement in irrigation management.
------------------------------------------------------------16. A critical evaluation of non-agricultural employment opportunities in the Mahaweli Development Region: A case study of Bakamuna Township.
By G B Herath.A dissertation presented to the Department of Town and Country Planning, Uni. of Moratuwa, 1987.
In this study it was concerned with the evaluation of non-agricultural employment opportunities in the Mahaweli Development Region. The Bakamuna Township in system ‘G’ was selected for the case study.
It consists six chapters including the discussion of the age structure of the population in settlements and the causative factors for the unemployment problem and also analyses the diminishing returns and allied problems in the agricultural sector. The empirical evidence was collected and analyses in respect of non-agricultural employment opportunities. The policy frame work was also prepared for the development of the non-agricultural employment sector in this region.
------------------------------------------------------------17. Marketing relations in a village in the Mahaweli scheme: the paddy market in Konwewa / Eppawala.
A thesis submitted for the requirement of M.A, 1985.
This study focused on the linkage between the farmers and the traders, and the mechanisms behind the debt-trap situation. No attention was paid to the part of the rice market where consumers meet the traders. He analysed the way farmer acts on the market and the mechanisms that can make him dependent on the traders when selling his products.
In this study, the author used the market structure-market conduct-market performance paradigm. This theory explains the market performance out of the organization of the market structure and the market conduct. However, this study is focused on the linkages between the traders and the farmers in which not the position of the traders is the starting point, but the position of the farmer on the market. The market performance of the farmer was analyzed.
The Purna village in system H-4 area and the Eppawala paddy market of the Mahaweli System were chosen as a case study.
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18. Rural industrialization in Asia: Sri Lanka
Study Team: Dr.Abhaya Attanayake; Dr.Anura Ekanayake; Dr.Gamini Abayasekara. Sponsored by International Development Research Centre, Canada and Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka., 1991In this study, the team defined that the rural non-farm employment can broadly be defined as all employment that is generated and sustained beyond the production of crops and trees and raining of livestock in the farms and homesteads. Thus, any non-agricultural activity or activities undertaken in the farm household or employment in any activity outside the farm can be taken as non-farm employment.
Also describes that all these activities are not synonymous with rural industrialization. It includes all other non-agricultural industries in rural areas. Rural regions include not only villages but small towns, market centres and suburbs that are not defined as urban and are interspersed within the village and estates of Sri Lanka. Since rural industrialization is being considered as a vehicle for the generation of employment and income for the rural masses, rural industrialization cannot be strictly confined to rural areas, as many people who physically live in rural areas commute to urban regions for non agricultural employment.
The region coming under the Mahaweli Authority is rural and has over 80 percent of the population engaged in agricultural activities. Since, the Mahaweli region is a special case, since the land is equally distributed among the settlers each receiving 2 ½ acres of lowland and ½ acre homesteads or highland. Therefore rural industrialization in the context of the Mahaweli region should mean increasing diversification of the rural economy through multiplier and linkage effects of a high productivity agricultural system.
------------------------------------------------------------19. Ancient Irrigation works in Ceylon in 3 parts.
R L Brohier. Ceylon Government Press, 1934
Republished by Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka,The subject of Mr.Brohier’s excellent paper on ‘Ancient Irrigation Works in Ceylon’ is a wonderful old work used as a guide book by the surveyors and engineers with enthusiastic.
The author who has been achieved considerable reputation for historical research and illiteracy work, deserved great credit for the manner in which he has compiled all the information available from the records of the Survey Department, the records of other Government Departments and from various reports and publications, on the subject of
------------------------------------------------------------20. Water Resources of Ceylon: its utilization and Development
S. Arumugam. Published by Water Resource Board, 1969. 415p.
This book assessing the water resources which the country is served annually, an attempt is made in the compilation, to survey the story of conservation and utilization of water resources in Ceylon from the very early days of history.
