Rather than explicitly considering irrigation development options, this paper identifies the problems facing Sri Lanka's irrigation sector and offers recommendations for their resolution. First, the Government of Sri Lanka has not given sufficient attention to the role of irrigation in future agricultural development; relatedly, existing policies concerning crop diversification and intensification and fertilizer use need to be re-evaluated. Second, Sri Lanka's social, institutional, and legal infrastructure have not fostered farmer participation in irrigation systems development and management. Third, although Sri Lanka has developed expertise in irrigation system design and construction, it must develop the same expertise in the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of those systems. Finally, greater emphasis must be placed on developing results-oriented irrigation management systems if optimum productivity is to be achieved.