On October 28, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Grant Agreement (G/A) with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the “Drainage Pumping Station Improvement Project in the Kerani River Basin.” The agreement was signed that day by Harshana Sriyapperma, Deputy Secretary General for Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and Shigeo Hondu, Director of the JICA Sri Lanka Office.
Scenes from the signing ceremony
In recent years, the area around the Kelani River near Colombo has experienced frequent flooding due to factors such as climate change, and Cyclone “Ditwa,” which struck in November 2025, also caused widespread flood damage. This project aims to mitigate flood damage in the Kerani River basin by constructing drainage pumping stations to improve stormwater drainage capacity.
Furthermore, this initiative promotes proactive disaster prevention investments in line with the priority actions outlined in the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030” and contributes to the realization of “human security” by mitigating the impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and other factors on human lives, livelihoods, and daily living. Through this project, it is expected that cooperation between the two countries in the field of disaster risk reduction will be further deepened.
The business overview is as follows.
Drainage Pump Station Development Plan for the Kerani River Basin
The Project to Improve the Pump Station in the Kelani River Basin
・Country (Target Region)
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Gampaha District, Western Province)
・Business Objectives
This project aims to mitigate flood damage by improving stormwater drainage through the construction of a pumping station in the Kelaniya area of the Kelani River basin, located in the Colombo metropolitan area, thereby contributing to the stabilization of socioeconomic activities and the enhancement of social resilience in the basin and surrounding areas.
・Business Activities
1) Details of Facilities, Equipment, etc.
Drainage stations, access embankments, drainage pump facilities, monitoring, control, and data collection systems, etc.
2) Details of Consulting Services and Software Components
Technical guidance related to detailed design, bid preparation assistance, construction supervision, and operation and maintenance, among other matters
・Maximum Grant Amount
2.179 billion yen
・Scheduled Implementation Period
A total of 44 months (including the detailed design and bidding periods)
・Implementing Agency
Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development and the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation
・ Contributing to the Achievement of the SDGs
Goal 9 (Build the Foundations for Industry and Innovation)
Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Goal 13 (Take concrete action on climate change)
© Source JICA