Sri Lanka must prioritise climate change! It is urgent

Sri Lanka can no longer treat climate change as a distant issue discussed only at global conferences. It is unfolding before our eyes. From increased rainfall and stronger winds to deadly landslides and floods, the weather patterns we once relied on are changing rapidly. Lives are being lost. Homes are being destroyed. Yet as a country, we still seem to be reacting instead of preparing.

In recent years up to 2026, Sri Lanka has experienced repeated natural disasters. Heavy monsoon rains have flooded entire districts. Landslides have buried homes in the hill country. Sudden storms have damaged property and disrupted daily life. Cyclonic conditions in the region, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, brought intense rain and rough seas, once again reminding us how vulnerable we are as an island nation. Fishermen were warned to stay ashore. Families in low lying areas lived in fear of rising waters.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, thousands of families are affected each year by floods, landslides and extreme weather. In some years, dozens of people have lost their lives. These are not just numbers. They are parents, children and breadwinners. Behind every statistic is a grieving family and a community struggling to rebuild.

Scientists across the world have warned that rising global temperatures are leading to more intense and unpredictable weather. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has repeatedly stated that small island nations like Sri Lanka are among the most vulnerable. Warmer oceans can produce heavier rainfall and stronger storms. Changing wind patterns can increase the severity of cyclones in the region.

We do not need scientific reports alone to tell us this. We see it in our daily lives. Farmers complain that seasons are no longer predictable. Crops are damaged either by drought or by excessive rain. Urban residents in Colombo face flash floods after just a few hours of heavy rain. Coastal communities worry about rough seas and erosion.

Despite these clear warning signs, our response has not been strong enough. Governments have spoken about climate action. Plans have been announced. Committees have been formed. But on the ground, progress is slow. Drainage systems remain blocked. Unauthorised buildings continue to appear on vulnerable land. Forest cover continues to shrink in some areas. Development often moves ahead without proper environmental consideration.

A few years ago, there was much publicity about establishing a climate change university in collaboration with international universities. It was presented as a forward thinking step that would place Sri Lanka at the centre of climate research in the region. Such an institution could have trained experts, improved research and guided national policy using science. Yet, like many ambitious proposals, little has materialised. There has been no clear update or visible progress.

Climate change cannot remain a talking point. It must become a national priority that goes beyond political cycles. The cost of inaction is far too high.

First, early warning systems must be strengthened. Modern technology allows better weather forecasting. Communities in landslide prone and flood prone areas must receive timely alerts. Evacuation plans must be clear and practiced. Schools and local authorities should regularly conduct disaster preparedness drills. When people know what to do, lives can be saved.

Second, environmental laws must be enforced strictly. Illegal construction on hillsides and wetlands must stop. Forest conservation and reforestation should be expanded. Forests help absorb heavy rainfall and reduce landslide risks. Wetlands act as natural flood buffers. Protecting nature is not anti development. It is smart development.

Third, urban planning must adapt to new climate realities. Cities like Colombo need improved drainage systems that can handle heavier rainfall. Flood mitigation projects must be completed without delay. Corruption and inefficiency in such projects only increase the human and economic cost.

Fourth, education and research must be strengthened. If the climate change university proposal is to be revived, it must move beyond speeches. Partnerships with reputable international institutions can bring expertise and funding. Local universities should also expand climate related studies so that we build our own pool of experts.

Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It affects food security, public health, tourism and the overall economy. We can no longer afford to treat every flood or landslide as an isolated tragedy. They are part of a larger pattern. If we fail to act now, the consequences will only grow more severe. The time for promises has passed. Sri Lanka must act with urgency, responsibility and unity to protect its people and its future.