Weather and climate change vital for national security, Sajith says

As weather and climate change have a direct impact on economic stability, food and water security, authorities must treat the two issues as essential components, giving those high priority attention because it is their duty to the people, said Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Since this problem also affects national security, a common agreement must be reached with various parties to move towards proactive management, the Opposition Leader noted.

He expressed these views while addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Professor Abeywickrama serve as the co-chairmen of this forum.

This task is not an individual effort, and since various parties including climate scientists, academics, and independent advisory groups join this, this forum operates free from party politics, the Opposition Leader said.

Furthermore, challenges faced by farmers, fishermen, and businessmen due to weather and climate change must be discussed further, he added.

This forum focuses primarily on moving towards an expert and scientific data and information-centric responsive programme regarding environmental affairs and climate change without party differences, and on creating a country that prepares before a disaster occurs, the Opposition Leader said.

Various opinions were expressed regarding the El Niño and La Niña situations, and although it did not impact the Yala season much this time, discussions took place on how it would affect upcoming seasons. Discussions also covered unfamiliar weather and climate conditions, the Opposition Leader further noted.

Professor Sampath Seneviratne, Professor Buddhi Marambe, Professor Inoka Kudavidanege, Dr. Andrew Kittle, Rukshan Jayewardene, Anjali Watson, Dushyantha Silva, Dilum Alagiyawanna, Senaka Chandima Aberathna, Danumi Darshana De Soyza, Dr. Aparajitha Ariyadasa, Professor Roshanka Ranasinghe, Dr. Rohan Pallewatta, Dilanthi Nadika, G. D. Hemanthi Gunasekara, Ravidu Iresh, and Chadini Ramanayake, along with many local and foreign academics and experts in the field, attended the forum.