Global water campaign launch in Sri Lanka today

A spectacular laser show and water dance taking place Friday and Saturday this week will mark the launch of a major campaign to improve water management.

Backed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), headquartered in Pelawatte, the campaign, RipplesOnWater.org, will raise awareness about water issues, initially in Sri Lanka and will then spread globally throughout 2012.

“I am very excited by this creative new approach to getting the message out about the importance of managing our water well,” said IWMI Director General Dr. Colin Chartres. “So much has been achieved in Sri Lanka and globally to improve water management, but we now face new and continuing challenges of climate change, urbanisation, economic growth and population increases. I am looking forward to working with all our partners to make this campaign a success.”

As the island’s population grows wealthier and the economy develops, the pressures on water supplies in Sri Lanka are going to intensify. More water will be needed for industry, more for food. The natural systems that underpin the water cycle may be eyed up for the commercial development opportunities they offer, not the environmental services they provide. And on top of this, climate change will bring new challenges. More extreme weather events are forecast, and that means more floods and droughts.

This is not a set of problems unique to these shores. The talk of a ‘global water crisis’ is growing louder and louder. It has got businesspeople, politicians and scientists worried. But the good news is that it really doesn’t have to be this way. Research is clearly showing that with more investment and new thinking on resource management, we can not only have all the water we need, but also create jobs, grow more food and maintain our natural heritage.

This is what Ripples on Water is all about. By bringing together art, science and development in a unique global movement, say the organisers, it aims to revitalise water management so that we can create jobs, grow more food, keep ourselves healthy and protect our natural heritage

The spectacular laser show and water dance will be performed by nATANDA, Sri Lanka’s leading contemporary dance group. Choreographed by Kapila Palihawadana the performances will take place at Colombo’s only open air Theatre, in the Viharamahadevi Park on Friday and Saturday this week (23 and 24 March).

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non profit, scientific research organisation focusing on the sustainable use of land and water resources in agriculture, to benefit poor people in developing countries. IWMI’s mission is “to improve the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and the environment.” IWMI has its headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and regional offices across Asia and Africa. The Institute works in partnership with developing countries, international and national research institutes, universities and other organisations to develop tools and technologies that contribute to poverty reduction as well as food and livelihood security

CGIAR is a global research partnership that unites organisations engaged in research for sustainable development. CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources. It is carried out by the 15 centres who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organisations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector.