Special Ministerial Sub-committee and Officials’ Committee on El Nino meet for the third time

The Special Ministerial Sub-committee and Officials’ Committee on El Nino convened for the third time on Monday at the Presidential Secretariat. Dr Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, presided over the meeting. The discussions centered on action plans from sectors such as plantation, agriculture, wildlife, and water resources management.

A particular focus was placed on strategies for providing drinking water to communities in Batticaloa, Monaragala, and Ampara, where dry weather conditions are prevalent. It was determined that the implementation of the program would be overseen by District Secretaries, with relevant officials being kept abreast of these arrangements.

The committee also deliberated on necessary measures should the dry conditions persist and groundwater levels continue to fall. The Department of Meteorology's El Nino forecasts and programs aimed at safeguarding potentially affected sectors were also discussed. The significance of maintaining public awareness of El Nino developments through media channels was underscored.

Officials from the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, and the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, among others, attended the meeting.