Members of the Head Table,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Firstly at the outset I would like to thank SLYCAN Trust and other stake holders for inviting me to address this important event, and also we thank the agencies, especially the German Federal Ministry and other agencies that are participating and assisting at this dialogue today.
Climate change has become the biggest threat to the global existence of humankind. It is important that we take collective action to build climate resilience at the local, national and global level.
While Sri Lanka is focusing on addressing climate change impacts at local and national level, through existing mechanisms, we also continue our engagement and commitment to global action ever since climate change started gaining international traction, through various initiatives.
Sri Lanka is among the countries that focused on loss and damage in their Nationally Determined Contributions since the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions stage, and continues to focus on addressing climate risks and risk management through risk transfer mechanisms, as well as setting up national mechanism to facilitate the work related to the areas of the Warsaw International Mechanism under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Of Course our island nation, for thousands of years, is known the world over for two important reasons; as the contributor of Theravada Buddhism and for the magnificent hydro- civilization summed up as “Wawai dagabai kethai” –Buddhist dagaba, lakes, paddy fields, the great lakes of over 40,000 built during our ancient history which continues to save us.
Since the ratification of the UNFCCC, in 1993, and the Paris Agreement in 2016, we, as a country have made commitments focusing on key sectors and taking affirmative actions to address the impacts of climate change. We have been contributing to ensure that we build climate resilience at national level, while working with the international community to contribute to the global efforts to minimize the adverse impacts of climate change.
In working towards climate action, it is important for us to also achieve sustainable development and at how resilience could be built through inclusive and participatory processes, integrate stakeholder driven decision making processes and implementation of climate action.
His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Policy Frame work “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” gives highest priority to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. In the new NDC process, we focus on how climate action could contribute to the development of Sri Lanka’s economy and the national development vision of “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, in addressing the impacts of COVID-19, and to ensure that employment opportunities are increased through green and climate-friendly livelihoods, skill development and youth empowerment. Our revised set of NDCs, updates and strengthens the NDCs submitted in 2016 to the UNFCCC, and is focused on eventually becoming a net carbon zero country, without compromising our national development goals.
Today’s event focuses on climate law and policy, climate action, and building resilience. ‘Just recovery’ is an example of how we could merge the efforts of different actors towards a common objective, which could contribute to Sri Lanka becoming climate resilient faster. This would also assist us to move towards just recovery in terms of the impacts of COVID-19, and achieving sustainable development as well.
Sri Lanka is also gifted with over 100 rivers. In our historical literature and later poets of Sri Lanka, I would like to mention, one of our recent poets Late P.B. Alwis Perera and even one of our popular songs in our country by Late C.T. Fernando highlighted “mahaveli kelani kalu walaway ganga”.
I am pleased to mention Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open Sri Lanka’s largest wind farm, with a capacity of 100 MW, in the Mannar District. This was done with the government’s vision to achieve the country’s renewable energy mix. The total energy portfolio by 2030 will accommodate over 40% renewable energy and with an anticipated 80% energy mix obtained from hydro and renewable energy sources.
Sri Lanka is considered a pioneer in protection and restoration of mangroves in the world. This is evident by our leadership role in the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods and the launching of a national policy on conservation and sustainable utilization of mangroves, in September 2020 as well as extensive stakeholder consultations to formulate the action plan for conservation and sustainable validation of the mangroves which is nearing completion. These are all the testimonies to our commitment to effectively mitigate impacts of climate change.
Our country is currently engaging with international and regional entities to bring sustainable nitrogen management to the South Asian agenda. It is in line with the implementation of the Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management with an ambition to halve nitrogen waste by 2030, which would bring multiple benefits, including effective measures in mitigating impacts of climate change.
As our climate changes and the planet becomes warmer, the plastic breaks down into more methane and ethylene, increasing the rate of climate change, and so perpetuating the cycle. To reduce such impacts, among others, on March 31st 2021, Sri Lanka took legislative measures to ban a number of single use plastics, while working on introducing eco-friendly alternatives.
You may recall it was in 2001 as Minister of Environment I chaired the Ozone Summit in Sri Lanka and the Colombo Declaration was adopted unanimously at that international summit, which was a prelude to the climate actions we also adopted Rain Water Policy Framework declared during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa, mainly because of dedicated and knowledgeable minds that gave this contribution.
Sri Lanka will be jointly hosting the Pre-COP26 Virtual Event, “Nitrogen for Climate and Green Recovery to promote Sustainable Nitrogen Management” next week.
Sri Lanka believes that climate financing commitments under UNFCCC and other mechanisms are needed for developing economies such as Sri Lanka to build resilience and address the adverse effects of climate change and to undertake potential greenhouse gas emission reduction initiatives.
Your Excellencies, dear friends – I call upon you to embark on getting more, and if possible, all young men and women to harvest and harness more rainwater and solar energy. Both are in abundance and blessed in Sri Lanka.
As world renowned scientist of Sri Lanka Prof. Senanayake points out we have to cut back on unwanted and wasteful emissions. As Buddhist we are taught to be content. Thus, for our own selves and collectively at large for all beings.
I would like to recall, as mentioned by the opening speaker, it was not long ago – just about a year ago – Colombo had to go into lockdown. Within a matter of 2 to 3 days, your Excellencies, all our rivers and waterways had seen zero pollution, which is to that extent our cities are involved in pollution and environmental damage that is causing the drive for action on climate change.
And we must both protect and contribute to the growth of our flora and fauna, especially what was passed down unto us by our forefathers, as we mention in Sri Lanka for all living beings. This is the message encapsulated in the teachings of Buddha.
Finally before concluding I would like to mention that I myself have proposed that environment, forests, rivers, water and clean air be fundamental rights in our new constitution. I hope all of us could work towards such important areas to a new future.
Finally I would like to wish SLYCAN Trust and the various participants and government agencies great success during today’s dialogue.
Ayubowan.
