Sri Lanka Urged to Act as Climate Threats Intensify Across the Island

Colombo, The Gulf Observer: Sri Lanka can no longer afford to treat climate change as a distant issue debated only at international forums. The crisis is unfolding across the island with increasing force, as rising rainfall, stronger winds, deadly landslides and widespread flooding reshape the country’s weather patterns and expose its growing vulnerability.

In recent years leading up to 2026, Sri Lanka has endured repeated natural disasters that have disrupted daily life and claimed lives. Heavy monsoon rains have inundated entire districts, while landslides in the hill country have buried homes and displaced families. Sudden storms have damaged property and strained local infrastructure.

Regional cyclonic activity, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, brought intense rainfall and rough seas, underscoring the island nation’s exposure to extreme weather. Fishermen were warned to remain ashore, and families in low-lying areas faced the constant threat of rising waters.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, thousands of families are affected each year by floods, landslides and extreme weather events. In some years, dozens have lost their lives. Behind each statistic is a grieving family and a community struggling to rebuild.

Global scientific bodies have consistently warned that rising temperatures are driving more intense and unpredictable weather patterns. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has repeatedly identified small island nations like Sri Lanka as among the most vulnerable. Warmer oceans contribute to heavier rainfall and stronger storms, while shifting wind patterns can intensify cyclonic systems in the region.

The effects are already visible. Farmers report unpredictable seasons and damaged crops due to drought or excessive rainfall. Urban residents in Colombo frequently face flash floods after only a few hours of heavy rain. Coastal communities express growing concern over erosion and increasingly rough seas.

Despite these warning signs, critics argue that the national response has fallen short. While successive governments have announced climate action plans and established committees, implementation on the ground has been slow. Drainage systems remain clogged, unauthorised construction continues in vulnerable areas, and forest cover has declined in certain regions. Development projects often proceed without adequate environmental safeguards.

Several years ago, significant publicity surrounded plans to establish a dedicated climate change university in collaboration with international institutions. The initiative was presented as a forward-looking step to position Sri Lanka as a regional hub for climate research. However, tangible progress has yet to materialise, with no clear updates on the project’s advancement.

Experts and environmental advocates stress that climate change must become a national priority beyond political cycles. They call for strengthened early warning systems, improved forecasting technology and regular disaster preparedness drills in vulnerable communities. Clear evacuation plans and timely alerts, they argue, could save lives.

There are also calls for stricter enforcement of environmental laws, particularly against illegal construction on hillsides and wetlands. Forest conservation and reforestation efforts must be expanded, as forests help absorb heavy rainfall and reduce landslide risks, while wetlands serve as natural flood buffers.

Urban planning reforms are equally urgent. Cities such as Colombo require upgraded drainage systems capable of handling heavier rainfall, and flood mitigation projects must be completed without delay. Observers warn that corruption and inefficiency in such initiatives only increase both human suffering and economic losses.

Education and research are seen as critical pillars of long-term resilience. Reviving the proposed climate change university, alongside expanding climate-focused studies in existing institutions, could strengthen the country’s capacity to respond with science-based policies.

Climate change, analysts note, is no longer solely an environmental concern. It affects food security, public health, tourism and the broader economy. Each flood and landslide is part of a larger and increasingly dangerous pattern.

With the cost of inaction mounting, observers argue that the time for promises has passed. Sri Lanka now faces a decisive moment to act with urgency, responsibility and unity to safeguard its people and secure its future.