LKI representative participates in 35th CEPA Guest Lecture: Facing the Future: Environmental Disaster and Poverty in Sri Lanka

February 2, 2026    Reading Time: 2 minutes

Reading Time: 2 min read

LKIIRSS Operations Intern, Adhil Fareed, participated in the 35th Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) Guest Lecture titled Facing the Future: Environmental Disaster and Poverty in Sri Lanka, held on the 26th of January 2026, from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm at the Open University of Sri Lanka Auditorium.

The lecture formed part of CEPA’s Research, Reflection and Practice (RRP) lecture series and was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (CESSD) and the Open University of Sri Lanka. The hybrid session brought together participants from local and international organisations to examine the socio-economic impacts of recent environmental disasters, particularly the cyclone system that affected Sri Lanka and the wider region in 2025.

The discussion was led by Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. The panel included Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of John Keells Holdings PLC; Dr. Herath Gunathilake, former Director at the Asian Development Bank; Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne of the University of Colombo; Prof. Jagath Munasinghe, former Chairman of the Urban Development Authority; and Ms. Kusala Mahelakama, a disaster risk management specialist at the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). The session was moderated by Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Senior Advisor to CEPA.

The panel discussion was followed by an interactive Q&A session, which encouraged audience engagement and underscored the need for stronger climate awareness and social resilience in the face of future environmental shocks. Speakers highlighted the challenges in systematically assessing the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka between November and December 2025. These included weak data collection mechanisms and the limited capacity of vulnerable socio-economic groups to absorb climate shocks, particularly due to poor housing conditions and restricted access to basic services such as internet connectivity during crises.

Emphasis was placed on the multidimensional nature of the crisis and its long-term socio-economic consequences. Panelists noted that widening inequality has reduced the ability of affected communities to recover, trapping many households in cycles of poverty. The discussion also highlighted the need for institutional and social reforms, particularly in integrating disaster preparedness into public policy and improving coordination in the delivery of aid and resources.

The role of UNDP during the crisis was highlighted, particularly its contribution to damage assessment through the RAPIDA report. The Build Back Better initiative was discussed as a framework for strengthening long-term resilience by addressing structural vulnerabilities rather than focusing solely on short-term financial recovery. The Rebuild Sri Lanka Committee Fund was also referenced for its efforts to support livelihoods severely affected by the cyclone.

At the international level, participants reflected on how growing nationalist agendas among major global actors have weakened collective responses to climate change, despite the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters.

Overall, the seminar underscored the disproportionate impact of environmental disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah on lower- and middle-income countries like Sri Lanka, particularly on marginalized households. It highlighted the urgency of institutional reform, improved preparedness, and continued research to mitigate the long-term impacts of natural disasters on vulnerable populations.