40 years of IWMI
In 2024, IWMI celebrates 40 years of research and innovation in water management. From its headquarters in Sri Lanka, and in cooperation with more than 50 countries, IWMI brings science-based solutions for water problems to the world. IWMI’s contributions to water security help farmers and communities lead safe, just and sustainable lives.
Painting the picture of water security, an international art project
As part of our fortieth anniversary celebrations, IWMI commissioned talented young artists from our host countries to shed light, through art, on the critical issue of water security and its significance in shaping our collective future. Each piece illustrates the artist’s vision for a water-secure world by showing how smart water solutions can support transformative change, catalyze development and build resilience. We hope these pieces will provoke dialogue, raise awareness and inspire action towards sustainable water management practices.
Sri Lanka Through Water | Sandaruwan Wickrama | Sri Lanka | Colored pencil 
Echoes of Ellanga Gammana: Sustaining Sri Lanka’s Water Heritage | Sandeepa Vithanage | Sri Lanka | Mixed media, digital art 
Woven Waters: Tapestry of Mohana’s Life | Maleeha Bukhari, Pakistan | Mixed media on cloth 
Women in the Fields | Fajal Zia | Pakistan | Linocut 
Water for all in the Agricultural Wetland of India (A Visual Folk Song) | Sudarshan Shaw | India | Digital Art 
Echoing Streams | Shaili Malla | Nepal | Digital Art 
A waterful world | Bandana Tulachan | Nepal | Digital Art 
Vessels of Vitality | Ayush Sunar | Nepal | Acrylic on Canvas 
Living Water | Sarvinoz Kosimova | Uzbekistan | Acrylic and ink 
Water is Life | Khua Song | Lao PDR | Watercolor 
The Fate of foods is in our Hands | Prosper Temidara Shittu | Ghana | Pastel chalk, acrylic and digital 
Water is Life | Teboho Makoatsa | South Africa | Mixed media 
Lesotho Border | Fanie Buys | South Africa | OIl on canvas 
Hex River, Du Toits Kloof | Fanie Buys | South Africa | OIl on canvas 
Limpopo River Basin | Fanie Buys | South Africa | OIl on canvas
Commemorative stamp
On May 29, 2024, a special commemorative stamp was issued by the Sri Lanka Post to celebrate IWMI’s 40th anniversary, and four decades of partnership with Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, visited IWMI’s global headquarters in Colombo and received the first stamp. Since 1984, IWMI has contributed to shaping water management practices in Sri Lanka and the world. In the last 40 years, IWMI has grown in scale, impact and areas of research — from an institute focused on water for agriculture to a global leader in integrated water management. Looking forward, IWMI will continue to contribute to Sri Lanka’s water security and climate goals.
