International health and meteorological organizations warn of an unprecedented El Niño event, prompting Sri Lanka's government to convene meetings on food security while experts call for comprehensive disaster mitigation strategies.
Global health and meteorological authorities are preparing nations for what may become the strongest El Niño event on record, with the World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and World Food Programme warning of severe impacts on weather systems, food production, and energy supplies. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development responded by holding a meeting this week, chaired by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, to address potential food supply disruptions and price volatility stemming from the global phenomenon.
Official assessments presented at the Tuesday meeting suggested that El Niño's direct impact on Sri Lanka could be limited, though regional agricultural disruptions may affect global food prices and availability. The discussion included Ministry Secretary K.A. Wimalenthirarajah, Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon, and representatives from state trading entities and food importers. However, observers emphasize that Sri Lanka's response has historically favored reactive disaster management over proactive preparation, a pattern they argue must change given advance warning systems now available.
Experts highlight urgent measures needed to fortify food security, including strengthening early-warning systems, promoting drought-resistant crops, improving irrigation efficiency, and expanding water storage infrastructure. The dry zone is already experiencing acute water shortages and significant crop losses, with reservoirs depleting rapidly while other regions receive excess rainfall—conditions characteristic of El Niño-driven weather extremes. Additionally, Sri Lanka loses an estimated 20-30 percent of fruits and vegetables post-harvest, while wildlife damage accounts for approximately 40 percent of annual crop losses, compounding existing vulnerabilities.
Critics note that diverting paddy to animal feed and beer production contradicts food security priorities during a drought that has devastated rice-growing areas. A comprehensive national strategy addressing agricultural productivity, infrastructure resilience, and food storage remains essential as the current El Niño event is expected to persist into early 2027.
