Cabinet approves Sri Lanka-Japan Big Data Project to protect Kelani river

Colombo, March 18 (Daily Mirror) - In a major move toward modern environmental management, the Cabinet yesterday approved a landmark initiative to safeguard the Kelani River through advanced data-driven monitoring.

The Environment Ministry said the project, titled “Big Data System for Aquatic Environmental Monitoring and Implementation of Data-Driven Policies,” is a five-year program (2026–2031) valued at Rs. 646 million. It is a collaborative effort between the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the University of Moratuwa (UOM), and Tohoku University, Japan, with funding support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the SATREPS program.

The Kelani River, a vital source of drinking water, hydropower, and industrial supply, will benefit from a high-resolution, real-time monitoring system. Currently, the CEA monitors water quality at 17 locations. Under the new platform, authorities will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and numerical modeling to pinpoint pollution sources with unprecedented accuracy.

A Water Environmental Data Organizing Center will be established at the University of Moratuwa as the technical hub for the project. This center will integrate data into the Environmental Protection License (EPL) system, enabling the CEA to take legal action backed by scientific evidence. Japanese experts will also provide specialized training to officials from the CEA, the Water Resources Board, and the University of Moratuwa to ensure the system’s sustainability.

“The proper management of the Kelani River is essential to address the twin challenges of climate change and rapid urbanization,” the Ministry of Environment said, emphasizing that the project will serve as a model for monitoring other key river basins across the island.

To oversee implementation, the CEA will set up a dedicated unit within its Environment Protection Division, supported by a Joint Coordinating Committee and international experts to convert real-time data into actionable national policies.

This initiative marks a significant step in using cutting-edge technology to protect Sri Lanka’s water resources while strengthening environmental governance.