The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a special ministerial sub‑committee and an official committee to coordinate Sri Lanka’s national response to the anticipated El Niño climatic phenomenon.
Sri Lanka, highly vulnerable to climate variability, faces heightened risks of altered rainfall patterns, extreme heat, droughts, and floods due to El Niño, with potential adverse effects across economic and social sectors.
Scientific forecasts indicate that impacts could emerge from the latter part of this year, prompting the government to act swiftly.
According to the government, the national‑level programme will strengthen coordination among state institutions, local authorities, NGOs, the private sector, and community organizations.
Key measures include preparing short‑, medium‑, and long‑term plans to manage possible water, electricity, and food crises, ensuring integrated operations among agencies, and raising public awareness to minimize disaster risks.
The Ministerial Sub‑Committee will be chaired by Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi and include Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, Plantation and Rural Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratne, Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunatilake, Trade and Food Security Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, and Housing and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe.
Supporting them, an Official Committee chaired by the Secretary to the President brings together secretaries of key ministries, the Director Generals of Irrigation, Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation, Meteorology, Disaster Management, and the Mahaweli Authority, along with heads of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, National Disaster Relief Services Centre, and Electricity Generation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
The coordinated framework is designed to mitigate El Niño’s potential impact on vital resources and safeguard communities through proactive planning and rapid response. (Newswire)