Bandula Kendaragama Independent Dam and public safety Consultant Melbourne, Australia

20260126 – Questions Raised by the Independent Dam Safety Consultant Bandula Kendaragama at
the QA session of the inaugural meeting of the Water Forum of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka
(IESL) held on 26 January 2026

Last night, I participated online inaugural meeting of the IESL Water Forum. During the very limited Q&A session, I raised several critical issues concerning the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) of the Kotmale Dam. I also shared approximately 20 slides in the feedback section highlighting these concerns.
My key points were as follows:
1.
Non-availability of the EAP Despite being formally assigned by the Presidential Secretariat to deliver a series of three-hour training presentations on dam-related matters—and despite the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority being tasked with organising these training programmes—the Mahaweli Authority has, even after nearly two months, failed to provide me with a scanned copy of the Kotmale Dam EAP.
2.
Outdated contact information The contact numbers listed in the EAP should be mobile numbers, not landline numbers, to ensure reliable communication during emergencies.
3.
Lack of updates since 2011 I personally saw and photographed four pages of the EAP, including the cover page, on 27 October 2016. The document was originally issued in August 2011 and was a white colour bound document—not a red loose-leaf folder. This indicates that the EAP has not been updated for at least five years, and likely much longer, possibly till to-date.
4.
Insufficient dissemination among key stakeholders If the EAP has not been shared with or internalised by the following officials and institutions, then it must be considered outdated and ineffective:
o
Governor of the Central Province;
o
Disaster Management Centre officials;
o
District Secretaries of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya;
o
Divisional Secretaries in potential inundation areas;

Police officials (DIGs, ASPs, IPs);
o
Dam Safety Officials of the Mahaweli Authority; and
o
Grama Niladharis in potential inundation areas.
5.
Absence of inundation maps at grassroots level A large-scale inundation map showing Grama Niladhari Divisions should be prominently displayed in every relevant Grama Niladhari office.
6.
Critical service providers not covered adequately The EAP should also clearly involve and inform:
o
Directors of hospitals in potential inundation and adjacent areas;
o
Depot Managers of CTB depots in affected and nearby areas;
o
Tuition class operators; and
o
School principals in potential inundation and adjacent areas. Given these gaps, it is evident that the current version of the Kotmale Dam EAP is outdated and inadequate for effective emergency preparedness and management.
Dear President and Members of the Executive Committee, Water Forum – Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL),
Unfortunately, insufficient time was allocated during the inaugural meeting of the Water Forum to elaborate on several critical issues raised during the Q&A session concerning the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) of the Kotmale Dam. At the conclusion of the session, the organisers indicated that they would contact me subsequently regarding these matters.
Given the seriousness of recent and past incidents—particularly the opening of spillway gates at the Kotmale Dam without providing sufficient advance warning to residents and visitors living in the potential inundation areas—I respectfully request the President and the Executive Committee of the Water Forum to allocate three hours or more, at the earliest practical opportunity, for a dedicated online workshop.

This proposed session would focus specifically on:
•
The current status of the Kotmale Dam EAP;
•
Identified shortcomings and gaps; and
•
The urgent need for reviewing, updating, and strengthening the EAP in line with present-day realities and stakeholder responsibilities.
I strongly believe that such a focused technical session will contribute meaningfully to dam and public safety, professional discourse, and institutional preparedness in dam safety and emergency management.
Thank you to the Water Forum of the IESL for your kind cooperation and continued commitment to addressing critical national issues.
Yours sincerely,
Bandula Kendaragama Independent Dam and public safety Consultant Melbourne, Australia
WhatsApp +61403204066
26 January 2026