A team from the World Bank Group conducted the Third Implementation Support Mission (ISM) for the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP) from 6–15 May 2026. The mission focused on reviewing the progress of project implementation across all components, assessing progress under the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC), and evaluating fiduciary, environmental, and social safeguards, as well as monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
During the mission, the World Bank team engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation (MoALLI) and its affiliated departments, the National Planning Department (NPD), the External Resources Department (ERD), the Project Management Unit (PMU), and other key stakeholders involved in project implementation.
The mission provided an important opportunity to engage with implementing agencies and stakeholders, review the progress of ongoing activities, and provide strategic and technical guidance to support the timely and effective achievement of project development objectives.
Key Objectives of the Mission.
The key objectives of the mission were to:
• Review implementation progress across all project components;
• Assess progress under the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC); and
• Evaluate fiduciary, safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
Field Visits and Site Inspections
In parallel with the mission schedule, a three-day field inspection programme was organized in the Anuradhapura District. During the field visits, the World Bank mission team visited several proposed irrigation and agricultural intervention sites, engaged with field-level irrigation agency staff, reviewed ongoing implementation progress, and interacted with beneficiaries.
Visit to DIE Office – Galgamuwa
During the visit to the Department of Irrigation Engineering (DIE) Office in Galgamuwa, officials informed the mission that nine project packages had been identified for submission under the IRDCRP. The mission reviewed the proposed interventions and advised integrating agricultural activities through close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DOA), with support from the Deputy Project Director (DPD) and the PMU under Subcomponent 2.3.
Visit to MASL Office – Thambuttegama
The mission also visited the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) Office in Thambuttegama, where the team reviewed proposed interventions, including rehabilitation of the David Tank piped irrigation system and a solar pump distribution programme for lift irrigation.
Field observations confirmed the need for extensive rehabilitation and maintenance works, including sluice gate repairs, spillway rehabilitation, and a detailed technical assessment of the pipe distribution system.
Focus Group Discussion with Beneficiary Farmers
As part of the implementation support mission, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with beneficiary farmers at the Nachchaduwa Agrarian Service Center on 7 May 2026. The discussion aimed to understand farmers’ experiences, review the implementation process, and assess the level of beneficiary satisfaction regarding the emergency cash transfer programme for crop damage compensation.
CERC Site Observation
During the field inspections, the mission also visited a Ratmalwatiya tank under the Gallenbidunuwewa , proposed under the CERC component. The site visit revealed a significant tank bund breach and severe downstream erosion near the tank foundation caused by spillway overflow and overtopping of the bund.
Considering the technical complexity and associated safety concerns, the mission emphasized the need for detailed engineering designs to be prepared by senior engineers and/or reviewed by the Dam Safety Panel. Based on these observations, the mission recommended that the subproject be considered under the main project component rather than under CERC implementation arrangements.
Visit to Productive Partnership Applicant – M. G. Foods Private Ltd
In parallel with activities under Component 1, the mission team visited M. G. Foods Private Ltd located in Galewela, Matale District. The company is among the applicants that submitted Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the Productive Partnerships initiative under Component 1 of the project.
The visit was organized to gain a better understanding of the company’s ongoing business operations and future expansion plans. During the discussion, the Project Director briefed the Board of Directors and company representatives on the selection process and the potential support available through Component 1 of the IRDCRP.
The Chairperson of M. G. Foods Private Ltd also made a presentation to the visiting mission team, highlighting the company’s existing operations, value chain activities, and future development plans under the Productive Partnerships programme.
Conclusion
The Third Implementation Support Mission provided valuable insights into the implementation progress of the IRDCRP and facilitated productive discussions among implementing agencies, beneficiaries, and stakeholders. The mission confirmed the commitment of the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthening climate resilience, improving rural infrastructure and agricultural productivity, and ensuring effective and sustainable project implementation for the benefit of rural communities.
During the mission, the World Bank team engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation (MoALLI) and its affiliated departments, the National Planning Department (NPD), the External Resources Department (ERD), the Project Management Unit (PMU), and other key stakeholders involved in project implementation.
The mission provided an important opportunity to engage with implementing agencies and stakeholders, review the progress of ongoing activities, and provide strategic and technical guidance to support the timely and effective achievement of project development objectives.
Key Objectives of the Mission.
The key objectives of the mission were to:
• Review implementation progress across all project components;
• Assess progress under the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC); and
• Evaluate fiduciary, safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
Field Visits and Site Inspections
In parallel with the mission schedule, a three-day field inspection programme was organized in the Anuradhapura District. During the field visits, the World Bank mission team visited several proposed irrigation and agricultural intervention sites, engaged with field-level irrigation agency staff, reviewed ongoing implementation progress, and interacted with beneficiaries.
Visit to DIE Office – Galgamuwa
During the visit to the Department of Irrigation Engineering (DIE) Office in Galgamuwa, officials informed the mission that nine project packages had been identified for submission under the IRDCRP. The mission reviewed the proposed interventions and advised integrating agricultural activities through close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DOA), with support from the Deputy Project Director (DPD) and the PMU under Subcomponent 2.3.
Visit to MASL Office – Thambuttegama
The mission also visited the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) Office in Thambuttegama, where the team reviewed proposed interventions, including rehabilitation of the David Tank piped irrigation system and a solar pump distribution programme for lift irrigation.
Field observations confirmed the need for extensive rehabilitation and maintenance works, including sluice gate repairs, spillway rehabilitation, and a detailed technical assessment of the pipe distribution system.
Focus Group Discussion with Beneficiary Farmers
As part of the implementation support mission, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with beneficiary farmers at the Nachchaduwa Agrarian Service Center on 7 May 2026. The discussion aimed to understand farmers’ experiences, review the implementation process, and assess the level of beneficiary satisfaction regarding the emergency cash transfer programme for crop damage compensation.
CERC Site Observation
During the field inspections, the mission also visited a Ratmalwatiya tank under the Gallenbidunuwewa , proposed under the CERC component. The site visit revealed a significant tank bund breach and severe downstream erosion near the tank foundation caused by spillway overflow and overtopping of the bund.
Considering the technical complexity and associated safety concerns, the mission emphasized the need for detailed engineering designs to be prepared by senior engineers and/or reviewed by the Dam Safety Panel. Based on these observations, the mission recommended that the subproject be considered under the main project component rather than under CERC implementation arrangements.
Visit to Productive Partnership Applicant – M. G. Foods Private Ltd
In parallel with activities under Component 1, the mission team visited M. G. Foods Private Ltd located in Galewela, Matale District. The company is among the applicants that submitted Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the Productive Partnerships initiative under Component 1 of the project.
The visit was organized to gain a better understanding of the company’s ongoing business operations and future expansion plans. During the discussion, the Project Director briefed the Board of Directors and company representatives on the selection process and the potential support available through Component 1 of the IRDCRP.
The Chairperson of M. G. Foods Private Ltd also made a presentation to the visiting mission team, highlighting the company’s existing operations, value chain activities, and future development plans under the Productive Partnerships programme.
Conclusion
The Third Implementation Support Mission provided valuable insights into the implementation progress of the IRDCRP and facilitated productive discussions among implementing agencies, beneficiaries, and stakeholders. The mission confirmed the commitment of the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthening climate resilience, improving rural infrastructure and agricultural productivity, and ensuring effective and sustainable project implementation for the benefit of rural communities.