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​​Date submitted ​1 November 2016
​Responsible Agency/Department​ ​Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment
​International Partners​
​​Key vulnerabilities addressed ​Sri Lanka identified the following climate change vulnerabilities and risks and assessed each priority sectors to inform how climate change will impact the development systems. Information on observed and projected changes suggest that the climate of Sri Lanka is already undergoing three major types of changes:
  • ​​Gradual increase in ambient temparature
  • Changes in distribution of rainfall pattern
  • Increase in severity and frequency of extreme weather events
  • Change in ocean temperature is also likely to affect the sea level of Sri Lanka
​​Priority actions Food security ​
  • Develop tolerant varieties (paddy, OFC, horticulture) and breeds (livestock and poultry) to heat stress, drought and floods and resistant to diseases and pest attacks
  • Develop and promote water efficient farming methods
  • Adjust cropping calendars according to climate forecasts
  • Develop systems for timely issuing and communicating of climate information to farmers
  • Develop research institute capacity for conducting research on tolerant varieties/breeds and climate resilient farming methods 
Water resources 
  • Develop and implement watershed management plans for critical watershed areas
  • Increase the efficiency of use and reduce losses of irrigation water
  • Assess the current practices of water management for climate resilience and identify ways to improve them
  • Identify and map areas vulnerable to droughts and flood hazards and prepare disaster risk management plans
  • Design rational intra-basin and trans-basin strategies to harness periodic surpluses of water in storage facilities
​Coastal and marine sector
  • Implement a continuous programme for monitoring shore line changes
  • Develop shore shoreline management plans including M&E programmes
  • Study impacts of sea level rise on costal habitats over short-, mediumand long-term horizons
  • Identify, declare, collect information and prepare maps on vulnerable areas to extreme events and inundation
  • Conduct awareness programmes on sea level rise and extreme events to coastal communities to empower them for facing the risks of climate change
Health
  • Establish a surveillance programme for detection and monitoring of climate induced diseases
  • Conduct research studies on impact of climate change prevalence and spread of vector borne and pathogenic diseases
  • Develop research institutes’ capacity conducting research on health impacts of climate change
  • Strengthen the mechanisms for sharing information between disaster management and health management agencies
  • Launch awareness programmes on climate and health risks for healthcare workers and the public
Human settlements and infrastructure
  • Promote climate resilient building designs
  • Revise building approval systems to increase the climate resilience
  • Conduct research studies on climate resilient building designs, green building concepts and alternative materials
  • Conduct training programmes on climate resilient buildings for industry stakeholders
  • Prepare hazard preparedness plans for urban, rural and estate settlements
Ecosystems and biodiversity 
  • Conduct research studies on climate change impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Establish a comprehensive programme to monitor climate change impacts on key natural ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Prepare adaptive management programmes for climate sensitive ecosystems
  • Prepare recovery plans for highly threatened ecosystems and species
  • Develop research institutes’ capacity for conducting research on climate change impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity
Tourism and recreation
  • Increase the awareness of tour industry operators on climate change and its impacts
  • Establish emergency communication channels for tourists and operators
  • Identify tourism facilities in vulnerable areas and make arrangements to increase the climate resilience of them
  • Assess the current promotional strategies with connection to emerging scenarios of climate change and adjust them accordingly
  • Conduct research studies on climate change impacts on tourism and recreation
Export and agriculture sector
  • Introduce new cultivars/clones tolerant to heat, drought and flood and resistant to disease and pest attacks
  • Promote improved nursery and plant management practices and sustainable cropping systems to increase the climate resilience of plantations and crops
  • Conduct research studies on climate change impacts on export agriculture crops
  • Identify and collect information on areas most vulnerable to disasters and prepare hazard vulnerability maps for all crops
  • Develop research institutes’ capacity for conducting research on climate change impacts on export agriculture crops
Industry, energy and transportation 
  • Minimize the fluctuation hydropower generation potential through improvements in system management
  • Diversify the energy mix with increased share of renewable energy
  • Diversify the supply sources of climate sensitive agro-based raw materials
  • Establish an early warning and hazard communication system for commuters and managers of energy, transport and industrial facilities
  • Conduct research studies on climate change impacts on industry, energy and transportation ​
For the full list of priority adaptation needs and actions, please refer to Table 6 to 15 of Sri Lanka's NAP.
​Main Policies Referenced in the NAP
  • National Climate Change Policy of 2012
  • National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2011-16)
  • Other policy documents: National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme; Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme 2014-2018; National Action Programme for Combating the Land Degradation of Sri Lanka; Coastal Zone National Physical Plan 2011-2030; Sri Lanka Water Development Report 2010; Draft National Agriculture Policy