A special ministerial sub-committee and an officials’ committee appointed to address the potential impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon have held their third meeting to review preparedness and response measures, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi.

The committees discussed action plans submitted by the plantation, agriculture, wildlife and water resources management sectors, which are considered particularly vulnerable to the impacts of changing weather conditions.

A key focus of the meeting was the provision of drinking water to communities affected by the prevailing dry weather, particularly in Batticaloa, Monaragala and Ampara, the PMD noted.

It was decided that the drinking water distribution programme would be carried out through the respective District Secretaries, with relevant officials to be briefed on the arrangements.

The committees also considered measures that may be required if the dry conditions continue and groundwater levels fall further.

Forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology regarding the El Niño phenomenon were also reviewed, along with measures to protect sectors that could be affected by its impacts, according to the PMD.

The importance of keeping the public informed through the media about the latest developments concerning El Niño was also emphasized, the PMD added.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, senior government officials and representatives of relevant departments attended the meeting.