Correct guidance needed to prevent Sri Lanka becoming “Climate Orphans” – CEJ

Colombo, June 5 (Daily Mirror) - The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has called for urgent action to strengthen climate resilience and environmental management in Sri Lanka, warning that the country risks becoming “climate orphans” if proper guidance and adaptation measures are not implemented.

The warning comes after the Meteorology Department announced on Tuesday (03) that an El Niño condition is expected to develop during July and August and could continue until January next year.

CEJ Chairman Hemantha Withanage said Sri Lanka has already suffered severe economic and environmental losses due to climate-related disasters. He said that Cyclone Ditwa, which struck the country in November last year, caused more than US$4 billion in damage to the economy and infrastructure, while major transport networks, including highways and railways, are yet to be fully restored.

He also pointed out that Sri Lanka was ranked among the countries most severely affected by climate change in 2014, recording losses exceeding US$3 billion.

According to Withanage, environmental degradation has weakened the country’s ability to cope with climate impacts. He said the watersheds of 103 rivers have been damaged, while large portions of wetlands have been reclaimed for development projects and infrastructure construction.

The CEJ Chairman further claimed that much of Sri Lanka’s 1,340-kilometre coastline is facing erosion due to poor planning and unsustainable development activities. He cited flood-control measures implemented along the Kalu River in 2017 as an example, alleging that they contributed to the destruction of the river mouth and increased saline water intrusion into drinking water sources in the Kalutara area.

Withanage also expressed concern over forest conservation, claiming that although official reports place forest cover at 29.2 per cent, the actual forested area is below 17 per cent. He said unsustainable land-use practices and the conversion of forest lands for agriculture have reduced climate resilience and threatened sensitive wildlife habitats.

He warned that the human-elephant conflict has become a major environmental challenge and accused authorities of failing to address harmful agricultural practices that contribute to ecological damage.

The CEJ highlighted that Sri Lanka continues to face environmental disasters due to inadequate climate-resilient development strategies and poor management of natural resources. As a result, the organisation urged policymakers, government officials and the public to take greater responsibility in protecting the environment.

Emphasising the importance of climate adaptation, Withanage said developing countries such as Sri Lanka must focus more on adaptation and climate resilience than on emission reduction alone, as their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions remains relatively low.

Marking World Environment Day, the Centre for Environmental Justice called for the proper management of environmental resources, greater respect for ecosystems and stronger efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of citizens, warning that public participation is essential to building resilience against future climate threats.