“Sri Lanka needs to adapt to climate change to ensure that its economic development can continue without disruption or setbacks, and investments in poverty reduction, food and water security and public health will not be undone.” said Vidhisha Samarasekara, Climate Change Specialist at ADB.

Technical studies carried out under the project reveal that Sri Lanka can increase its resilience through efforts involving the state, private sector, civil society and the academia, ADB said.
"However, there is currently a lack of urgency about what needs to be done in various sectors," the statement said.

The draft Strategy will be presented at a workshop on November 16, which key representatives of the government and other key stakeholders are expected to attend.

The Asian Development Bank is supporting many countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

ADB has a climate change fund and is looking to integrate climate change considerations into ongoing operations in a range of sectors.