At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (15) briefed the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Marc-André Franche, on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s move to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges and the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Peiris, the convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition, led the delegation that included UNP General Secretary and former Minister Thalatha Atukorale, former UPFA National List parliamentarian Suren Raghavan and ex- SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatta.

Having met the top official here, Prof. Peiris briefed the media on their decision to bring the developing situation to the notice of the UN.

Referring to the opposition of the legal fraternity to the NPP government’s plan, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the civil society, too, had opposed the politically motivated initiative.

Prof. Peiris said that instead of addressing the burning issues affecting the public, the government was creating new problems.

In an era where artificial intelligence can create convincing stories, images and videos within seconds, journalism is facing one of its most defining moments. The challenge before the media is no longer simply finding information, but establishing what is true in an increasingly crowded and confusing information environment.

The future of journalism will not be determined only by technological advancement. It will depend on whether journalists and media organisations can preserve the values that have sustained the profession for centuries — truth, independence, verification, accountability and public trust.

This was the central message that emerged from The Media Fest 2026, organised by the Sri Lanka–India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) at Taj Samudra, Colombo, bringing together leading media personalities, editors, journalists, academics, digital experts and communication professionals from Sri Lanka and India.

Held under the theme “Staying Relevant in a Changing World,” the forum examined the transformation taking place across the media industry — from artificial intelligence and misinformation to changing audience behaviour, investigative journalism, digital innovation and the future sustainability of news organisations.

The discussions demonstrated a common reality faced by newsrooms globally: technology may change the tools of journalism, but credibility remains the profession’s most powerful asset.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described MediaFest as an important platform strengthening professional dialogue between journalists of the two countries.

He said India and Sri Lanka, as vibrant democracies with deep historical and cultural connections, shared similar challenges in adapting to technological change while protecting journalistic values.

“As two vibrant democracies, our journalists share many common challenges, from adapting to new technologies and combating misinformation to sustaining public trust and preserving editorial integrity,” Jha said.

He emphasised that closer cooperation between media institutions could help both countries learn from each other’s experiences.

“We can certainly benefit from sharing our experiences, which is an opportunity this platform provides us. We can also use this occasion to strengthen partnerships between our media institutions,” he added.

Jha said artificial intelligence, digital platforms and social media had transformed journalism by expanding the reach and possibilities of storytelling.

However, he stressed that traditional journalistic principles had become more important than ever.

“Accuracy, fairness, verification, integrity and public trust are more important today than ever before,” he said.

Highlighting the resilience of Sri Lanka’s media sector and the scale of India’s media landscape, Jha encouraged greater journalist exchanges, newsroom visits, professional training and institutional partnerships.

Describing the media as a bridge between people, he called for stronger collaboration to create informed and constructive narratives about both countries.

“People-centric narratives can address past stereotypes and false narratives that sometimes inhibit meaningful cooperation,” he said.

SLIMFA President Nisthar Cassim said MediaFest had emerged as an important professional platform connecting journalists, editors, media executives, academics, digital creators and communication experts.

He said SLIMFA, established in 2024, had rapidly developed into a forum promoting closer engagement between the media communities of Sri Lanka and India.

Through editor discussions, roundtables, masterclasses and training initiatives, SLIMFA had encouraged dialogue on issues shaping the future of journalism.

Cassim said the value of such programmes extended beyond discussions, creating opportunities for professional friendships, knowledge sharing and institutional cooperation.

Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIR) Director Dilrukshi Handunnetti brought the perspective of accountability journalism to the discussion, highlighting the continuing importance of investigative reporting in protecting democracy.

She stressed that journalism must go beyond simply reporting events and must examine the deeper issues affecting society.

In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, investigative journalism remains a vital mechanism for uncovering facts, questioning powerful institutions and ensuring public accountability.

Handunnetti emphasised that technology could provide powerful tools for journalists — from analysing large volumes of information to identifying patterns and strengthening evidence-based reporting.

However, she noted that no technology could replace the essential qualities of an investigative journalist: curiosity, independence, courage and commitment to the public interest.

Her message reflected a central theme of MediaFest — journalism’s relevance depends on its ability to serve society, not merely chase attention.

Another key message from the panel was that organisations must experiment with new technologies rather than wait until others succeed.

The speakers noted that AI, social intelligence and digital platforms would reward organisations willing to learn, adapt and innovate.

By Ifham Nizam