National programme approved to manage El Niño-related disasters

Changes in rainfall patterns, high temperatures, droughts, and floods present an elevated risk of disasters in Sri Lanka due to the global climate phenomenon known as El Niño, as the country is highly sensitive to climate variability, and this can cause adverse impacts on many economic and social sectors of the country.

The government recognised the need to take urgent measures to face the intensity and impact of El Niño conditions, which scientific forecasts confirmed may occur from the latter part of this year onwards, alongside the impact of climate change.

Therefore, it is decided to implement a national-level action programme by strengthening coordination among state institutions, local government authorities, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and community organisations to minimise the potential impacts.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President to take the following steps.

A Cabinet sub-committee consisting of the following ministers was appointed to prepare short-term, medium-term, and annual plans to manage potential water, electricity, and food crises caused by the El Niño condition, ensure integrated operations among all state institutions, and take prompt actions to minimise disaster risks while raising public awareness:

• (Doctor) Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment - (Chairman)


• K.D. Lallkantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation


• Samantha Vidyaratne, Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure


• Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy


• Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development


• (Doctor) Susil Ranasinghe, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Furthermore, an official committee with the following composition was appointed to assist the aforementioned Cabinet sub-committee:

• President's Chief of Staff - ( Chairman)


• Secretary, Ministry of Environment


• Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation


• Secretary, Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure


• Secretary, Ministry of Energy


• Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development


• Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply


• Director General of Irrigation


• Director General of Agriculture


• Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation


• Director General, Department of Meteorology


• Director General, Disaster Management Centre


• Director General, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka


• Director, National Disaster Relief Services Centre


• General Manager, National Water Supply and Drainage Board


• General Manager / Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Generation Lanka (Private) Limited