Sri Lanka’s ancient irrigation system is susceptible to cushion up bad impacts of climate change, according researchers. “Madahorowwa”, an integral part of ancient tanks, is a sophistic tool to remove excessive silt deposited at the tanks in extreme rain conditions— it is very effective in today’s context as well.
Ancient Irrigation Helps to Tackle Climate Change ( SLBC news story 04 :48 min)
The Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka has implemented the programme “Blue Sky 2020” to minimize emission of green house gases as a measure of mitigating climatic changes. It also maintains an emission inventory. Digital boards indicating the air quality of the atmosphere in the main cities.
Blue Sky 2020” to minimize emission of green house gases in Sri Lanka. (SLBC news story 03: 04 min)
The Sri Lankan government expects to introduce to a national crop plan as a measure to adapt to the climatic changes. Chief executive Officer of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute E.M. Abhayaratne told the SLBC that his organization has been entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture to formulate the national crop plan. The plan is nearing completion and expected to be released at the end of this year. It is basically meant to maintain the crop stocks in the country to ensure stable price level during extreme weather conditions. The island nation experienced fluctuations in vegetable and rice prices during incessant rainy periods and droughts, recent years. Under the crop plan, the government is to introduce a timetable to cultivate certain crops to ensure uninterrupted supply to the market.
Co-laureate of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, Sri Lankan scientist Professor Mohan who was the Vice Chair of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change told the SLBC that change of rain pattern will badly hit Sri Lanka’s social and economic life. Accordingly, North Central and Southern parts of the country will have to face long droughts and Wet zone will get incessant rains.
Sri Lanka will be hit by change of rain pattern (SLBC news story 05:48 min)
Plans are underway to prepare a hazard map covering the entire country to tackle possible impacts of the climate change. A pilot project is being implemented in Batticaloa which is highly vulnerable for of natural hazards.
Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation that meteorological department has been equipped with state of art infrastructure to provide precise forecasts and minimize possible damages cause by extreme weather conditions. He also noted that government’s policy is to identify adverse impacts of climate change in advance and cushioning them up to minimize damage caused to the public. The minister stated that farmers who were hit by recent flooding are being paid compensations. News Story Carried in the Main News Bulletin of the SLBC (2.17 min of the clip)
Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, the University of Sabaragamuwa Dr. I.P Yapa explains that using chemical fertilizer in farming triggers climatic changes. He added that chemical fertilizer like urea activates with microbes and would emit green house gases. He also noted that chemical fertilizer industry is one of main culprits causing global warming. Teams under the guidance of Dr. Yapa have successfully carried out organic farming projects countrywide. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment B.M.U.B Basnayake highlighted final touches are being given on the committee report that inquires the impacts of pesticides and arsenic on farmer community in the North-Central province. News Story Carried in the Main News Bulletin of the SLBC (4.04 min of the clip)
Dr. Punyawardena, expert in climate change issues in Sri Lanka, told the SLBC that the Northern, North Central and Hambanthota and Rathnapura districts are prone to be badly affected by climate change. He added that it is a crosscutting issue and has deep implications on many fronts including country’s economy. An expert panel representing various sectors is working on preparing compressive plan to tackle bad effects of climate change. Vice-chairman of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , co-laureate Nobel Peace Prize 2007 , Sri Lankan Professor Mohan Munasinghe, once noted that northern part of Sri Lanka where Tamil rebels and government troops were fighting due to be submerged as sea-levels rise. News Story Carried in the Main News Bulletin of the SLBC (3.55 min of the clip)
