Saturday Aug 22, 2026
Saturday Aug 22, 2026
Saturday, 22 August 2026 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Government has stepped up preparations to mitigate the economic and livelihood impact of expected El Niño-driven dry weather, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reviewing plans covering agriculture, water supply, electricity generation, plantation industries and food security.
According to the President’s Media Division, the review came at a meeting of the Special Cabinet Sub-Committee and Officials’ Committee on El Niño at the Presidential Secretariat, after the Department of Meteorology forecast severe dry weather across the country during February, March and April 2027.
President Dissanayake instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted essential goods and services and prepare support programs for affected communities in coordination with disaster management authorities.
The Government is also preparing water-management measures ahead of the dry period, including identifying vulnerable areas and planning any necessary water restrictions before reservoirs reach critical levels.
Preparations for the upcoming Maha season include ensuring seed paddy and fertiliser availability and using expected October rainfall to prepare agricultural land rather than waiting for reservoir releases. The President also called for irrigation rehabilitation to be expedited to maximise water storage from the expected rains.
On energy, officials discussed maintaining a planned reserve of electricity generation capacity above normal requirements to protect power supplies against risks from depleted reservoirs during February-April 2027.
The President also directed officials to prepare measures for potential impacts on plantation industries and freshwater fisheries, including livelihood support for affected fishing communities.
