National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Sri Lanka, 2011 to 2016

This document outlines a comprehensive National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS) which lays out a prioritized framework for action and investment for the 2011-2016 period aimed at systematically moving Sri Lanka and its people towards a climate change resilient future. The NCCAS mirrors and supports Sri Lanka’s national development strategy as articulated in the Mahinda Chintana and is aimed at ensuring its success and sustainability. 

Accordingly, key findings of sector-based analysis were synthesized into an integrated framework, and structured into the following Five Strategic Thrusts: 

1. Mainstream climate change adaptation into national planning and development

2. Enable climate resilient and healthy human settlements

3. Minimize climate change impacts on food security

4. Improve climate resilience of key economic drivers

5. Safeguard natural resources and biodiversity from climate change impacts 

Under each of the strategic thrusts, keythematic areas for action, along with priority adaptation measures, have been identified. An estimated 47.7 billion rupees in incremental additional financing, beyond current and ongoing expenditure, will be required to implement the NCCAS over its six-year duration. The vast majority of these financial resources are expected to be channeled directly to the broad base of agencies and stakeholders (both within Government and beyond), to finance and implement climate change adaptation interventions of varied scale.