Businesses in Sri Lanka risk severe financial and operational disruption unless they urgently invest in climate adaptation and resilience measures, leading climate experts warned at a high-level dialogue on “Climate-Proofing Business Sri Lanka” held on Wednesday at Genesis – The Dilmah Centre for a Sustainable Future.
The event, jointly organized by Genesis and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, brought together corporate leaders, sustainability professionals, policymakers and climate specialists to discuss how climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest risks facing Sri Lanka’s economy.
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Specialist Rohan Cooray said climate-related disasters were already exacting a heavy economic toll globally and locally.
He noted that climate-induced losses divert resources that could otherwise be invested in economic development and business growth and stressed the need for stronger adaptation measures to protect investments and livelihoods.
Delivering the keynote address, internationally renowned climate lawyer and governance specialist Dr. Lalanath de Silva said climate change was no longer a future threat but a present-day economic reality that businesses could not afford to ignore.
“The impacts are coming whether we like it or not,” he said. “The question is whether we prepare now or pay a much higher price later.”
Dr. de Silva explained that while global efforts have largely focused on mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas emissions—adaptation has become equally important, particularly for vulnerable countries such as Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are among the countries most vulnerable to climate impacts,” he said.
He warned that climate change would alter rainfall patterns, intensify floods and droughts, increase the frequency of extreme weather events and place growing pressure on infrastructure, agriculture, water resources and businesses.
“We are very good at producing plans in Sri Lanka. What we have not been good at is implementing them.”
Calling for stronger institutional coordination, Dr. de Silva proposed the establishment of a high-level climate coordination mechanism operating at the highest level of government to ensure coherent action across ministries and agencies.
Providing scientific context to the discussion, Cooray presented projections based on global and regional climate models adopted by Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology.
According to Cooray, rainfall patterns across Sri Lanka are expected to become increasingly erratic.
The wet zone is projected to receive more intense rainfall events while many dry-zone regions could experience prolonged drought conditions interspersed with extreme rainfall episodes.
“The danger is not simply that some places become wetter and others become drier. The danger is the increasing variability and unpredictability of rainfall,” he said.
While mitigation projects often generate measurable returns, adaptation investments require innovative financing mechanisms and stronger public-private partnerships, speakers noted.
The event also featured contributions from Dilhan C. Fernando, chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC; Shiran Fernando, Secretary General and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; and Yasangi Randeni, Chief Sustainability Officer of Aitken Spence PLC.
Speakers agreed that climate-proofing businesses is no longer simply about environmental responsibility but about safeguarding assets, maintaining competitiveness, protecting supply chains and ensuring long-term economic sustainability.
The consensus emerging from the forum was clear: while mitigation remains important, Sri Lanka’s immediate priority must be preparing businesses, communities and institutions for climate impacts that are already unavoidable.
By Ifham Nizam
from The Island https://ift.tt/tERzYNq
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