Although there has been widespread discussion on El Niño and La Niña across various platforms, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he first addressed the issue on April 7 during the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, where experts from several government institutions were also invited for discussion.
He noted that, according to both local and international experts, the expected El Niño and subsequent La Niña conditions are predicted to be severe.
Addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, the Opposition Leader emphasized the need for the country to approach the situation with caution, particularly given the turbulent migratory conditions. He also pointed out that international institutions such as NOAA have issued serious forecasts indicating a rise in surface temperatures due to a warm ocean current moving eastward. According to these projections, there is a 63% probability of a Super El Niño event, which could lead to extreme climate and weather conditions, including severe dry spells and heavy rainfall periods.
He further warned that, beyond agricultural disruption, water shortages, and increasing human–wildlife conflict, the La Niña phenomenon could also trigger heavy rainfall outside normal seasonal patterns. This, he said, may pose significant risks to humans, animals, and the environment, while also worsening water scarcity and potentially affecting electricity generation.
Therefore, he called for the establishment of a dedicated task force to address these challenges, integrate its work with national policy, develop effective solutions, and raise public awareness on the issue.
