This paper takes the Master Plan (1969) as its point of departure for a narrative description of the Accelerated Mahaweli Ganga Programme (AMP). It attempts to trace the evolution of the AMP through a series of modifications of the Master Plan during the period 1977-1981. It describes the major issues that were considered in formulating the AMP and gives the rationale for the options that were finally selected. Some of these issues are no longer current, but it is desirable to record them as they are a part of the historical background which affected decision making.