Minister and other distinguish other distinguished guests observe as Mr.  Mallawaarachchi explains the CSA Centre’s social media platforms

The establishment of the CSAC is being widely recognized as a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to address the growing challenges posed by climate change to agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods. The CSAC is a key component of the Climate-Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) funded by the World Bank and, the center has been equipped with modern information and communication technology facilities and other essential resources to ensure effective and efficient operations. 

Following the inauguration of the CSAC, K. D. Lal Kantha officially launched the Centre’s social media platforms, including its blog, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. Addressing the gathering, Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist of the CSIAP and the initiator of the social media platforms, briefed the Minister and other distinguished guests on the features of the blog, highlighting its role in knowledge dissemination and its effectiveness as an information-sharing platform.

Pre-inauguration programme commenced

The newly established CSAC will function as a specialized institutional platform dedicated to advancing climate-resilient, sustainable, and innovation-driven agricultural development across Sri Lanka. Operating under the Agri-Technology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, the Centre is expected to serve as a national coordination and knowledge hub, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and institutional support for planning, implementing, and scaling climate-smart agriculture initiatives.

 A key feature of the Centre is its role as a coordination mechanism. It will facilitate collaboration among multiple ministries, departments, and government agencies involved in climate-related agriculture, natural resource management, and rural development. This is particularly important in a context where numerous climate-related programmes are currently being implemented by different institutions, often with limited coordination. Officials noted that the CSAC will help harmonize policies, programmes, and investments, ensuring better alignment, reducing duplication of efforts, and maximizing the overall impact of climate-related interventions in the agricultural sector.

Key Objectives and Functions
The CSAC will focus on several key objectives, including strengthening national coordination on climate-smart agriculture, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies and sustainable practices, and promoting research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination. It will also play a vital role in building institutional and human capacity. Training programmes, technical workshops, and awareness campaigns will be conducted for ministry officials, extension officers, farmers, and agribusiness stakeholders. These initiatives aim to enhance the practical implementation of climate-smart approaches at all levels.

Another major focus area will be supporting evidence-based policymaking. By generating data, sharing lessons learned, and providing analytical insights, the Centre will contribute to more informed decision-making in national agricultural and climate policies. 

Minister cuts the ribbon to open the centre and Deputy Minister and Secretary look on

Digitalization and innovation will form a cornerstone of the Centre’s work. The CSAC plans to promote digital agriculture solutions, climate information services, and smart advisory systems that will improve farmers’ access to timely and accurate information.

Strengthening Knowledge and Partnerships
As a knowledge hub, the CSAC will consolidate research findings, best practices, and field experiences from across the country. It will facilitate collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, development partners, and the private sector to scale up successful climate-smart solutions. Importantly, the Centre will not directly implement all programmes. Instead, it will work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure that initiatives are effectively planned, coordinated, and executed.
 
Strategic Importance for the Future
The establishment of the CSAC comes at a critical time, as Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector faces increasing pressure from climate variability, extreme weather events, and resource constraints. By providing a centralized institutional mechanism, the Centre is expected to significantly enhance coordination and long-term planning in the sector.
 
Among the anticipated outcomes are improved policy coherence, increased adoption of climate-smart technologies by farmers, strengthened institutional capacity, and better access to climate information and innovation. Ultimately, the CSAC is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring national food security while promoting environmentally sustainable farming systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve natural resource management.

A Step Toward Resilient Agriculture
In summary, the launch of the CSAC represents a forward-looking initiative aimed at transforming Sri Lanka’s agricultural landscape. By integrating policy support, technology, training, and innovation, the Centre is poised to drive the country toward a more resilient, productive, and sustainable future in agriculture. The Centre will serve as a cornerstone institution in Sri Lanka’s response to climate change, benefiting not only farmers but the entire nation.  Ahead of the official opening of the CSAC, a ceremonial event was held at the main auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, setting the tone for what officials described as a transformative initiative for Sri Lanka’s agricultural future.  

Pre-Inauguration Event Marks Milestone for CSAC
The pre-inauguration programme was conducted under the patronage of Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, with the participation of senior government officials, development partners, technical experts, and stakeholders from across the agricultural sector. The event served both as a formal welcome to distinguished guests and as a platform to highlight the strategic importance of establishing a dedicated CSAC.

Mr. Karunaratne                                                                  Dr. Senarathne                                                          Mr. Wickramasinghe                                                            Dr. Ratnayake                                                            Mr. Bandulasena

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. W. M. U. K. Ratnayake, Additional Secretary of the Agri-Technology Division of the Ministry, outlined the vision and core objectives of the newly established Centre. She emphasized that the CSA Centre is not merely an institutional addition, but a critical national response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change to Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector. Dr. Ratnayake elaborated that the Centre aims to serve as a national hub for innovation, coordination, and knowledge-sharing, enabling the systematic scaling up of climate-smart technologies and practices. She further highlighted that strengthening resilience among farming communities, improving productivity, and ensuring sustainable natural resource management remain at the heart of the Centre’s mandate.  

Secretary to the Ministry, D. P. Wickramasinghe, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of institutional coordination and long-term planning. He pointed out that the Centre would play a key role in aligning various programmes implemented by different agencies, thereby enhancing efficiency and ensuring better outcomes for farmers. 

Adding an international perspective, Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted the global relevance of climate-smart agriculture and commended Sri Lanka for taking a proactive step in establishing a dedicated institutional mechanism. He reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support for initiatives that promote resilience, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture.

Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project, shared insights into ongoing efforts to introduce climate-resilient irrigation and farming practices. He explained that the CSAC would further strengthen these initiatives by providing a centralized platform for coordination, technical guidance, and knowledge dissemination. 

The event concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. B.M.V.S. Basnayake, Director of the Agri-Technology Division. She expressed appreciation to all dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders for their contributions and support in making the establishment of the CSAC a reality.

The auditorium event not only marked the ceremonial beginning of the Centre but also reinforced the collective commitment of national and international stakeholders toward building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. It set the stage for the official opening that followed, symbolizing a unified step forward in addressing the challenges of climate change through innovation, collaboration, and strategic action. 

Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2026-04-27