Sajith calls for collective action to face El Niño, La Niña impacts

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the government, opposition and public to work together to address the impact of El Niño and La Niña, saying the effects of the climate phenomena will be faced equally by everyone.

Premadasa said the impact of El Niño had now reached 100% and stressed the need for collective action to overcome the situation.

He made the remarks while addressing the Caucus on Climate Parliament of Sri Lanka, which he co-chairs with Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama.

Premadasa said the forum had discussed El Niño and La Niña before international organisations began raising concerns about the phenomena, adding that their adverse effects were now receiving wider attention.

He said protecting human resources, wildlife, biodiversity and the environment should be treated as a national security priority.

Premadasa said the Caucus on Climate Parliament of Sri Lanka would initiate a national dialogue without divisions and with transparency to achieve these national priorities.

He also stressed the need to protect wildlife, saying animals without voting rights should also be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations.

The country’s disaster management mechanism plays an important role during disasters, but a system for responding to early warnings should also be established, he said.

Premadasa called for a mechanism to respond when advance risk information is received and for an immediate evacuation process following global disaster risk warnings.

He said preparations should be made to assess the global and local impacts of El Niño and La Niña on people, forests, the environment, wildlife, biodiversity, drinking water, irrigation water, food security and energy security, and added that the country currently focuses mainly on responding after disasters occur and stressed the need for a pre-disaster response programme. (Newswire)

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