A special Cabinet subcommittee and officials’ committee have discussed measures to support people who lose their jobs due to the impact of El Niño-related climate conditions.
The committees, chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi, held their fourth meeting recently at the Presidential Secretariat.
Special attention was given to the potential impact of El Niño on employment, with proposals discussed to provide relief and assistance to people who lose their jobs as a result.
The meeting also focused on minimising the impact of El Niño conditions on vegetable and fruit cultivation and preventing possible shortages of vegetables in the country.
Officials reviewed the progress of programmes aimed at ensuring a continuous water supply for people in the six districts currently affected by El Niño, enabling them to maintain their daily activities with minimal disruption.
It was decided to hold a media briefing on September 4 to raise public awareness ahead of the commencement of the Maha cultivation season.
A Zoom discussion will also be held with district secretaries and chairpersons of district coordinating committees in the six affected districts to discuss the ongoing situation and necessary measures.
The special Cabinet subcommittee is scheduled to meet again on September 14.
Ministers Susil Ranasinghe and Samantha Vidyaratne, senior government officials, the Director General of the Department of Meteorology, the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre and officials from relevant departments attended the meeting.
