Sri Lanka steps up El Niño preparedness as experts warn of a 63% chance of a strong event, with focus on food, water and energy security.
El Niño preparedness has become a national priority after a special Cabinet Subcommittee and an Officials’ Committee met for the first time at the Presidential Secretariat to coordinate Sri Lanka’s response to the potential climate impact.
The special Cabinet Subcommittee and Officials’ Committee were appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to formulate short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies aimed at safeguarding food security, strengthening water management, ensuring energy security, improving coordination among state institutions, and minimizing disaster risks through public awareness initiatives.
The inaugural meeting was chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi, who heads the special Cabinet Subcommittee established to oversee preparations for the anticipated El Niño conditions.
The Cabinet Subcommittee comprises Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, responsible for Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation; Minister Saman Vidyaratna of Plantation and Community Infrastructure; Minister Anura Karunathilaka of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy; Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development; and Minister Susil Ranasinghe of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.
During the meeting, appointment letters were also presented to members selected to serve on the accompanying Officials’ Committee.
Officials revealed that current climate assessments indicate a 63 percent probability of a strong El Niño event and a 33 percent probability of a weaker event. In light of these projections, authorities stressed the importance of giving priority to drinking water supplies, irrigation systems, and national energy management.
As global El Niño conditions are expected to bring varying degrees of drought or excessive rainfall to Sri Lanka, the relevant ministries and government departments were instructed to prepare detailed action plans and response measures within the next two weeks to address all possible scenarios.
The meeting also decided that, to avoid conflicting interpretations and public confusion regarding El Niño developments, only the Department of Meteorology will be authorized to issue official statements on the evolving climate situation.
Among those attending the meeting were Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakirthi, who serves as Secretary and Convener of the Special Cabinet Subcommittee and Chairman of the Officials’ Committee; Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Anjalee Kumaratunga; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development K.A. Wimalenthiraraja; Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Engineer Kumudulal Bogahawatta; together with officials representing the relevant government departments.
