Sri Lanka's Environment Ministry has released a circular aimed at ensuring reliable water access in regions threatened by drought conditions linked to El Niño weather patterns.

The government has taken steps to address potential water shortages by issuing a circular designed to maintain water supply during drought periods triggered by El Niño phenomena, Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi announced at a media briefing focused on El Niño preparedness.

According to the Minister, the circular was formally issued by the Ministry of Defence on August 6, 2026. The directive modifies existing legislative and regulatory frameworks to allow authorities to respond more rapidly and effectively when providing water services to communities facing drought conditions.

The initiative represents part of a broader national strategy to prepare Sri Lanka for the challenges posed by future El Niño events and their impact on water resources. The amendments contained in the circular are intended to streamline bureaucratic processes and enable quicker intervention mechanisms during water crises, allowing authorities to deploy resources more efficiently to affected regions.