The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka agreed on February 26 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to an implementation framework for the Science and Technology for Global Partnership (SATREPS) “Big Data Platform for Water Environment Monitoring and Data-based Policy Implementation”, The Record of Discussions (R/D) was signed. The R/D was signed by Mr. Udwalala, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka, Mr. Kapila Rajapaksha, Director General, Central Environmental Agency, Sri Lanka, and Mr. Kenji Kuronuma, Director, JICA Sri Lanka Office.
This project is a joint research project between Tohoku University, the Central Environmental Agency, and the University of Moratuwa. In the Kelani River basin, which flows through Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka, water pollution from industrial and domestic wastewater has become an issue, and watershed management based on scientific evidence is urgently needed.
In this project, we will develop a model to estimate water quantity and quality for the entire watershed based on data from a limited number of observation points, and improve the accuracy of the estimation model by applying big data on hydrology and water quality accumulated throughout Japan through transition learning (AI technology). Furthermore, by effectively disseminating and improving the obtained water pollution data, we will contribute to the enhancement of water environment management.
These efforts will contribute to the realization of Society 5.0, “a framework for solving social issues through the use of digital technology,” which is being promoted by the Japanese government.
Kelani River Basin
A summary of the business is as follows
Big data platform for water environment monitoring and data-based policy implementation
The Project for Big Data Platform for Water Environment Monitoring and
Data-driven Policy Implementation
Country (region covered)
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
(Kelani River Basin: Colombo, Gampaha, Nuwara Eliya, Latpuna, Kegalle)
Business Objectives
This project aims to develop a spatio-temporal model and inverse estimation method for surface water and groundwater in the Kelani River basin, and to enhance water quality monitoring and information sharing by constructing an infrastructure system to observe, predict, and evaluate real-time water environment data and to disseminate the data. This will contribute to policy recommendations and enhanced water environment management based on water quality monitoring data using spatio-temporal models.
Scheduled implementation period
60 months
Implementing Agency
Partner Country Implementing Agency: Central Environmental Agency, University of Moratuwa
Implementing Agency in Japan：Tohoku University
Contribution to the SDGs
Goal 6 (Safe water and toilets worldwide)
Goal 11 (Create a community where people can continue to live)
Goal 13 (take concrete action on climate change)
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