Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called yesterday (14) for the Government, Opposition and all 22 million citizens to unite to address the challenges posed by El Niño, as the probability of the weather phenomenon occurring reaches 100%.

Addressing the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, Premadasa stressed the need for an inclusive and transparent national dialogue, free from partisan politics, to address the risks arising from the prevailing situation.

He said the Caucus, which is co-chaired by himself and Professor L M Abeywickrama, would launch programmes aimed at addressing the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.

Premadasa emphasised that protecting human resources, as well as fauna, flora, nature and biodiversity, which have no voting rights, must be treated as a key national security priority to ensure the survival and wellbeing of present and future generations.

While commending the work of the country’s Disaster Management authorities, he stressed the need to establish a proactive disaster management and response system rather than relying primarily on measures taken after a disaster occurs.

He called for the immediate development of evacuation and early preparedness programmes that could be activated as soon as a global risk warning is issued.

He also stressed the need for advance planning to address the potential impacts of El Niño and La Niña on drinking water, irrigation, food security, energy security and the environment.

Premadasa said the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change would meet twice a month to ensure that environmental issues receive greater priority on the national agenda.