Srilanka, Oct. 19 -- For three decades, the war against the LTTE stripped Northern Sri Lanka of the most basic necessities. When the war ended in 2009, residents returned to find their towns and farms lacking what every human being needs to build a life. Today, two major water projects - the Vavuniya Water Supply Scheme and the Iranamadu Irrigation Project - implemented by the Government funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), have transformed these communities. One brings drinking water to 80,000 residents in Vavuniya, the other restores irrigation to nearly 22,000 acres of farmland in Kilinochchi.

The stories of these projects reveal both the remarkable achievement of rebuilding in a post-conflict zone and the hope that endures alo...