The Sri Lanka (SL) island is in the northern latitudes, deep in the tropics. Furthermore, SL is situated in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal and while the country’s eastern coast lies open to the Bay of Bengal, its western side is accessible to the Arabian Sea. Moreover, the Northeast monsoon across the Bay of Bengal and the Southwest monsoon across the Arabian Sea are the major climate influences for Sri Lanka. In addition, ocean circulation, including ocean currents and gyres, influences Sri Lanka in various ways along with climate change. Large networks of revolving ocean currents, known as ocean gyres, are influenced by tides, wind, and variations in salinity and temperature in the Indian Ocean, and it will directly and indirectly impact to creation of natural disasters in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, not only the impacts of two monsoon climate stresses fuelled the natural disasters’ intensity in SL. As explained by the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) country report 2023, the primary causes of natural disasters in Sri Lanka are windstorms, cyclones, droughts, landslides, floods, and coastline erosion. Furthermore, ADB Institute Research Paper Series No. 71 has highlighted that more than 30,000 people were killed, almost a million were homeless, and approximately 150,000 individuals lost their main source of income when the tsunami struck Sri Lanka on 26 December 2004 as a catastrophic natural disaster that the country has faced in recent history. It is important to highlight that until the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, the majority of the citizens living in the country were not even aware of the word “Tsunami”. In particular, it has been observed that, in many cases, responsible stakeholders initiate actions reactively even though they are well aware of the common natural disasters of the country, which are windstorms, cyclones, droughts, landslides, floods and coastal erosion.
Importantly, these natural catastrophes have resulted in fatalities as well as significant loss of life, property damage and destruction. In particular, natural disasters are vulnerable to significant harvest losses in the agricultural sector of the country. Moreover, it has been observed that authorities pay much attention to handling natural disasters case by case rather than having a pre-planned action as proactive measures to mitigate those. Natural disasters can result in property destruction, loss of livelihoods and services, injury or other health effects, environmental harm, social and economic disruption, or even death. More specifically, natural disasters occur in the country and directly and indirectly impact the country’s national security in various ways. It is important to highlight that the respective authorities are aware of the two monsoon periods and natural disasters that can occur during the period, including the probable impact area. In addition, there is adequate literature, published documents, research findings and various sources available regarding the natural disasters of SL along with sound recommendations to initiate proactive measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Also, due to the global climate stresses, natural phenomena are influencing day-by-day, and the intensity of the natural disasters can vary within the year in Sri Lanka as well due to its geographical location in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, other than the two monsoons, natural phenomena, called Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) as well as El Niño and La Niña, can both fuel the intensity of natural disasters occurring in SL. Hence, the respective authorities must formulate effective, efficient and tangible action plans to initiate proactive measures to mitigate as much possible the impacts of natural disasters on the country, as rather than waiting for the reaction when the situation demands.
Initiate proactive actions
As a basic example, respective authorities can initiate proactive actions to clear all waterways, and water canals, remove debris, create sufficient depths and widths, clear reservation areas, strengthen river banks, remove barriers for the water floor, conduct a survey on the strength of dams, remove visitations impacted in waterways and maintain the suitable depth of water reservoirs before the monsoons starts. Importantly, it will be able to mitigate the disaster from the rain flood or cyclone rather than act reactively during and post floods. Also, it is possible to divert water to the dry zones of the country using a system of pipelines, canals, or aqueducts, which is the most popular way to move water over long distances. These systems can move substantial amounts of water through a network of strategically placed channels, frequently using pumps to move the water from its source to the desired destination. More specifically, there are two main dry zones in the country which need sufficient water for developing agricultural products. This is especially important in areas with water scarcity, where water is transported from regions with abundant sources to populated areas. It is important to highlight that Sri Lanka is a unique country which is rich in water heritage, even though today we are unable to effectively utilise rainwater we are getting from the sky. For instance, before droughts, many proactive actions can be initiated to reduce the impact of the droughts for the particular area. Furthermore, large-diameter pipelines can be used to convey water over large distances, while smaller-diameter pipelines can be used to provide bulk or individual supplies at the point of use. On the other hand, the morning newspaper on 26 February 2025 reported that, according to residents of the Matugama Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division in the Kalutara District, as well as those in the Weligepola, Eheliyagoda, and Kalawana DS Divisions in the Ratnapura District, over 70,000 people have been particularly impacted by the drinking water shortage during the last few weeks in February 2025.
Importantly, it has been explained that these areas are prone to the threat of such drinking water shortage if they do not get frequent rain. Indeed, a common question is raised that if those areas are prone to such natural disasters within a short period, with the shortage of drinking water and also areas that are well identified, then why is it hard to initiate proactive action to provide water through a pipeline? In particular, people living in those areas are still suffering due to a shortage of drinking water, if they do not get rain continuously, even though systems are available for long-distance water transporting pipelines, provide water for such communities as proactive measures to mitigate the disaster rather than distributing water using water bowser when the drought started. Furthermore, it has been identified that the Western and Southwestern coastal areas are prone to coastal erosion impacting built infrastructure and the coastal environment. On the other hand, the Western and Southwestern coastal belt has become one of the world’s famous tourist destinations. Damages to the natural coastal belt, tourism infrastructure and the built environment due to coastal erosion can create a tangible impact on the country’s economy. However, it has been observed that the Galle Road is covered by sea sand flowing along with seawater flooding over the Galle Road Dam, damaging the road while obstructing the main transport route during the Southwest monsoon. In addition, it has been observed that seawalls and breakwaters have been constructed in place along the coast, and it is questionable whether those seawalls and breakwaters are effective or not when observing the coastal erosion in the area. Likewise, many examples can be cited on how the respective authorities react during and post-disaster without initiating sound proactive actions.
Threats to security
Moreover, given the diverse array of threats to the country’s security, which encompasses various aspects, such as border security, food security, energy security, physical security, economic security, and environmental security. Also, these factors have a strong correlation with aspects of national power. As an example, when floods affect the faddy sector, the entire country faces the risk of food security due to a lack of rice availability. On the other hand, as a chain reaction, it is affecting all elements of national security, including political, food, economic, environmental, human and health security. On the other hand, since the country is facing various challenges due to the financial crisis, initiating proactive actions to mitigate disaster risks in the country is mandatory to mitigate the damage and losses. Furthermore, it has been explained in many sources that climate change and climate stresses can multiply the intensity of natural disasters occurring in Sri Lanka. Hence, all related stakeholders must further strengthen the proactive actions to mitigate the disaster risks of the country, and the following also can be considered.
A. There are many stakeholders responsible for responding to natural disasters in SL. Hence, it is proposed to establish centralized command and decentralised execution within all stakeholders to initiate provocative actions for disaster risk mitigation.
B. Conducting thorough analysis to identify areas most susceptible to natural disasters like floods, landslides, Tsunami, drought, coastal erosion, etc.
C. Induct more technology, including real-time satellite imaginaries, geographical information system (GIS), LiDAR technology, etc and map the areas prone to various natural disasters for initiating practice actions to mitigate with easy identification.
D. Invest in having an advanced early warning system, including a sound weather forecasting system with more information in advance.
E. Establish geospatial data infrastructure, which is the system that integrates people, processes, data, and technology to effectively manage, access, and analyse geographic information.
F. Enhance the existing Marine spatial data infrastructure (MSDI) to monitor oceanographic, hydrographic, and metrology data to implement proactive actions for a secure marine environment.
G. Scientific knowledge: The scientific data on climate patterns should be taken into consideration when thinking about disaster risk reduction. Managing the risk of natural catastrophes should also take climate change variability into account.
H. Local expertise and public involvement: Collaborating closely with locals aids in the development of skills necessary to manage future disasters, such as search and rescue and home reconstruction. As a result, expanding the knowledge base is crucial.
I. Information sharing: To obtain the information they want, the working groups on disaster risk reduction should connect with academic institutions.
J. Fast communication channels: Disaster-related information should be promptly distributed to the groups that are most at risk. All forms of communication, including radio, television, the internet, and telephones, should be used to spread the word.
K. Risk identification: Before making any plans for the future, we must constantly consider the past. Planning for future disasters can be aided by disaster data from previous years. Importantly, when strong risk information is communicated at the appropriate moment, it can increase awareness and spur action.
1. Constructing of Seawalls, revetments, bulkheads, groins, and breakwaters may reduce erosion in the long term. They also have very high initial investment costs. However, over time, they can have adverse impacts on the coastline. Moreover, it is required to construct Seawalls, revetments, bulkheads, groins, and breakwaters where necessary after conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Through the application of mitigation technologies and practices, our society can ensure that fewer Sri Lankans and their communities become victims of natural disasters. For example, mitigation measures can be applied to strengthen your home, so that your family and belongings are better protected from floods, landslides, cyclones, coastal erosion, storm winds and other natural hazards. Importantly, they can be utilized to help the agricultural sector, business and industry to avoid damage to their facilities and remain operational in the face of catastrophe. In addition, mitigation technologies can be used to strengthen hospitals, fire stations, and other critical service facilities so that they can remain operational or reopen more quickly after an event. Moreover, mitigation measures can help reduce disaster losses and suffering so that there is less demand for money and resources in the aftermath.
Commander (H) Bhanu Abeygunawardena is a Military Research Officer at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on National Security established and functioning under the Ministry of Defence. The opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily reflective of the institute or the Ministry of Defence.