Diffusion of the use of shallow wells equipped with small pumps to lift groundwater has spread rapidly since around 1980 in many agricultural regions in tropical monsoonal Asia. This has allowed individual peasant farmers to cultivate at their discretion leading to a higher crop yield and crop diversification. The rapid diffusion of agro-wells and pumps in Sri Lanka has been attracting the attention of policy makers and researchers. Yet, the inadequate research in this field has left many questions unanswered. This report follows a study that was aimed at filling the gap of knowledge based on observations and data obtained in field surveys conducted in major and minor irrigation schemes in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.