EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS; SRI LANKA, MAHAWELI GANGA STAGE II PHASE I, MODERNIZATION OF NORTHERN TANK SCHEME.

The report, prepared by a team of international donor agency personnel based on an onsite visit, consists of the team"s determinations and recommendations for implementing the project. Under the proposed project, 26,000 acres of new land would be developed adjacent to the Mahaweli Ganga River and its major tributory watersheds. Methods used would consist of land clearing and leveling, cleaning and straightening several major earth canals, and construction of distribution canals and secondary roads. The team evaluated the project by examining water demand, irrigation practices, and drainage; soil quality and suitability for cropping; on-farm development works; cropping patterns, agricultural inputs, storage facilities, and support services; and equipment requirements. The teams" recommendations are primarily in terms of equipment needs. The four Sri Lankan agencies which will contribute to the project have between them 172 pieces of equipment committed to the river"s development. It is recommended that maintance and spare parts supply for this equipment be consolidated. A list is provided of equipment units needed to carry out the project activities in the Mahaweli Basin and in the five northern tank irrigation schemes. Further recommendations are: (1) one governing board should be established with jurisdiction over both projects; (2) the Department of Machinery and Equipment should be rehabilitated; (3) a mobilization and implementation schedule should be developed immediately; (4) an equipment commitment must be obtained from all participating agencies and a master spare parts list drawn up; and (5) a complete budgetary analysis of implementation must be made.