The Colombo wetland city is comprised of a few inland water bodies including, Beira Lake, Parliament Lake, Thalangama Lake, Mulleriyawa Tank, and other inter-connected 44 km long canal network. Beira Lake is a eutrophicated lake due to the contamination from several types of domestic and other types of wastewater. With the elevated rates of urbanization, other lakes are also under the threat of deteriorating with the occasional emergence of algal blooms. The relevant stakeholder agencies have attended to restore the water quality by monitoring the water quality parameters to assess the existing pollution status and trends in pollution to mitigate the negative impacts through identified projects. Introducing Nature Based Solutions (NBSs) such as green canal banking and riparian vegetation improvements, Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs), etc. 

There are several examples of wetland restoration initiatives across the Colombo Wetland Complex (CWC) that exhibit elements of strong community participation in project design and implementation.

The design, development, and management of the Beddagana Wetland Park is a good example of inclusivity and participation of local and national communities. Before the development of the park, locals regarded the Beddagana wetland area as an informal public space and used it at will for various recreational (and even illegal) activities. At the early design stage, officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) worked closely with neighborhood communities through structured consultations, which were organized into Community Based Organizations (CBO), to discuss the proposed initiative and to invite community feedback. These consultations ensured the flow of certain benefits to the community through changes to the park design such as the designation of separate spaces for a community park/play area with unlimited access, the creation of community livelihood opportunities, etc. The UDA also worked closely with NGOs such as the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) who helped feed the designs with their expertise and knowledge of the wetland from years of birding observations.

Community members are part of the Beddagana Park Management Committee which comes under the jurisdiction of the UDA. The committee also includes two members from academia who are wetland scientists. The committee meets with local stakeholders periodically and others as necessary, and reports to the National Wetland Steering Committee (NWSC). As a result of community-responsive design and operation, the park receives support from the local community which is reciprocated by the park management via free excursions and awareness sessions to the locals.

Similarly, the development of the Thalawathugoda Biodiversity Park preceded consultations with the adjacent community via a structured survey questionnaire to obtain community concerns.

Another project undertaken in Thalangama tank, to clean up a silted lake half covered by the invasive Anona glabra is a classic demonstration of the inclusion of stakeholders in the decision-making process. Thalangama Tank is an environmentally protected, small-sized ancient lake that is used for irrigation, flood diversion as well as bird watching. A project to enhance the flood diversion capacity of the lake was opposed by local paddy farmers for fear of losing irrigation capacity. Their concerns were addressed through a series of consultations spanning 2 years, the outcomes of which were reflected as major changes to the project scope.