Cabinet Subcommittee Appointed to Address El Niño Impacts in Sri Lanka

24-Jun-2026

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a special Cabinet Subcommittee and a committee of senior officials to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño.

Sri Lanka, being highly vulnerable to climate change, faces increased risks of altered rainfall patterns, extreme heat, droughts and floods. Scientific projections indicate that El Niño could significantly affect the country’s social and economic sectors in the coming months.

The Government plans to implement a coordinated national action programme involving public institutions, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and community groups.

Environment Minister Dr Dhammika Patabendi will chair the Cabinet Subcommittee, while several key ministers and senior officials will oversee planning related to water, electricity, food security and disaster preparedness.