The government is taking measures to address the risk of job losses and provide relief to workers who may lose their livelihoods as a result of the ongoing El Niño climate conditions.

The issue of possible employment losses received special attention when the special Cabinet subcommittee appointed to address the impact of El Niño held its fourth meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The subcommittee, chaired by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, discussed measures to assist people whose employment could be affected by the adverse climate conditions, including possible relief for those who lose their jobs.

The impact of El Niño on agriculture and food security was also discussed, with attention focused on minimising risks to vegetable and fruit cultivation and preventing a shortage of vegetables in the country, the PMD stated.

As people in six districts are currently affected by the climate conditions, the committee also reviewed programmes aimed at maintaining a continuous water supply to enable residents in those areas to continue their daily activities with minimal disruption.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to hold a media briefing on September 4 to raise awareness about 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 assess the situation and coordinate further measures.

The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again on September 14, the PMD added.

Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratne, Secretary/Convener of the special Cabinet subcommittee and Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi, and senior officials from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Trade, and Plantation and Community Infrastructure attended the meeting.

Director General of the Department of Meteorology A.L.K. Wijemanne and Disaster Management Centre Director General Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd), together with officials from relevant institutions, were also present.