The government has instructed all relevant line agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Mahaweli Authority, and Irrigation Department, to prepare and submit detailed action plans in advance to minimize the potential impact of a global El Niño situation on the country’s agricultural sector and water security.
These directives were issued at a special meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee held at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Lal Kantha and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe.
During the discussions, special attention was given to storing sufficient water in reservoirs for the upcoming Yala cultivation season and ensuring the availability of drinking water in the event of an El Niño-induced drought. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe instructed officials to promptly submit the views and recommendations of their respective agencies.
It was also decided to convene a special meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee in the near future to further review preparedness measures and coordinate responses.
The ministers emphasized that the government has adequate plans in place to address this potential global challenge, just as it successfully managed the impacts of Cyclone Diptia and the recent disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
They further stressed that while natural disasters cannot always be predicted, it is essential to remain prepared for any eventuality through planning and coordinated action.
The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Acting Director General of Meteorology A.L.K. Wijemannage, Director General of Agriculture W.A.R.T. Wickramarachchi, and several other committee members.
