Friday Jun 12, 2026
Friday Jun 12, 2026
Friday, 12 June 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Plantations and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna has called for advance planning to mitigate the potential effects of El Niño weather conditions on plantation industry and communities, while safeguarding national production targets.
The Minister made the remarks during a special discussion held at the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry on Wednesday to assess the possible impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and identify preparedness measures.
A technical briefing was delivered by climate and meteorology expert Prof. Ranjith Punyaratne.
Vidyarathna stressed the need for all stakeholders to work in a coordinated and planned manner to protect the livelihoods of plantation workers and sustain plantation production, which remains an important contributor to the national economy.
He also highlighted the importance of both immediate and long-term interventions to reduce risks faced by vulnerable communities.
During the discussion, Prof. Punyaratne outlined the potential effects of El Niño on Sri Lanka’s rainfall patterns, temperatures and water resources.
He noted that climate risk management measures introduced in recent years for tea and coconut cultivation had delivered positive results and should be implemented again at a practical level.
The meeting also focused on strategies including soil and water conservation, the promotion of micro-irrigation technologies, alternative livestock practices, strengthening the capacity of field officers and improving the timely dissemination of weather information to farmers.
Participants underscored the importance of building a climate-resilient plantation sector through the adoption of modern technology and science-based solutions.
The discussion was attended by Ministry Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Director General of Agriculture Dr. Lakmini Priyantha, as well as Chairpersons of the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka and Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, among other officials.
