Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a comprehensive national approach to climate change, framing it as a security issue rather than merely an environmental concern.
The Leader of the Opposition has urged Sri Lanka to recognize climate change as a fundamental threat to national security, extending beyond traditional military considerations. Speaking at a Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change meeting, Sajith Premadasa highlighted how climate impacts on economic stability, food and water supplies, biodiversity, and human welfare directly affect the nation's security framework.
Premadasa emphasized that addressing climate challenges requires coordinated action across society. He argued that the government cannot tackle this responsibility alone, calling instead for unified efforts involving the entire population of 22 million, parliamentary representatives, and civil society organizations regardless of political differences.
The Opposition Leader proposed several concrete measures to strengthen climate resilience and protect natural resources. These include establishing environmental societies at Divisional Secretariat levels to disseminate ecological knowledge to rural communities. Premadasa also highlighted the need to preserve Sri Lanka's cultural heritage and wildlife, particularly the elephant population.
Regarding elephant conservation specifically, Premadasa suggested replacing wild capture practices with a managed breeding program using existing domesticated elephants. This approach, he argued, would support both the protection of the Perahera cultural tradition and ensure elephant populations for future generations.