The Government has allocated Rs. 3.2 billion under the 2027 Budget to improve drainage systems and rehabilitate canals in Colombo and its surrounding areas as part of a series of flood mitigation initiatives, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament Yesterday(12), the President said recurring floods in Colombo were largely caused by inadequate maintenance of major canals and the limited capacity of drainage systems to carry rainwater.
Several projects are scheduled to begin in 2027, including the rehabilitation of the St. Sebastian Canal and Kirulapana Canal, along with improvements to stormwater drainage systems in Piliyandala and Kesbewa.
The Government also plans to launch the Mudun Ela project to reduce flooding in Wattala, Kelaniya and Biyagama. Flood mitigation work already underway in Kolonnawa and Oliyumulla will also continue.
In addition, a section of the Hamilton Canal is scheduled for development under the wider flood prevention programme.
The Rs. 3.2 billion allocation will support the rehabilitation of identified canals in Colombo and its suburbs, as well as improvements to the stormwater drainage system near the Piliyandala–Kesbewa by-road.
Rs. 900 million for Beira Lake development
Meanwhile, Rs. 900 million has been allocated to conduct a scientific study on the sustainable development of Beira Lake and surrounding land use, and to prepare a comprehensive development plan.
Essential development activities that have already been identified will also be carried out.
Flood mitigation projects in other districts
Beyond Colombo, the Government plans to improve the Bindunu Ela canal system in Wadduwa and Molligoda in the Kalutara District.
Drainage improvement projects are also planned for Gampaha and Ratnapura, as well as Dikwella, Beruwala and Rathgama.
Ongoing projects involving the Malwathu Oya are expected to help address flooding in the Mannar District.
Meanwhile, preliminary work on the Mundeni Aru project, which aims to address flood-related issues in Ampara and Batticaloa, is also expected to commence.
