Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 28th Asia Pacific Social Work Conference 2025, held on 18 November at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Social Workers (SLAPSW) and the National Institute of Social Development (NISD), the conference takes place from 18–21 November in Colombo under the theme “Social Work Responses to Climate Change and Other Environmental Issues.”

The Prime Minister further stated:

“Sri Lanka faces coastal erosion, unpredictable monsoons, urban flooding, droughts, and other climate-related challenges that directly affect agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. These environmental changes also worsen existing social inequalities, disproportionately impacting rural farmers, fisherfolk, plantation communities, and other marginalised groups.

Social workers play a critical role in addressing these challenges. They are often the first responders during disasters, providing immediate assistance, psycho-social support, and long-term rehabilitation. In Sri Lanka, social workers strengthen community resilience, support youth and women’s empowerment, and advocate for environmentally responsible practices.

The government supports these efforts through integrated approaches that combine climate adaptation, social protection, and community empowerment.

Our youth are making an important contribution to climate action and sustainability. Across Sri Lanka, students participate in school-based climate clubs, lead awareness campaigns, and organise community clean-up drives. Young people, through school clubs and the National Youth Services Council, are driving large-scale tree-planting and reforestation initiatives that restore degraded landscapes and protect vulnerable communities.

Technology and innovation, including digital disaster monitoring and climate-smart agriculture are helping communities respond effectively. The 2026 national budget reinforces this vision, prioritising national research and innovation through the establishment of a National Research and Development Institute and Council to ensure evidence-based solutions to environmental and social challenges.

It strengthens the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, expands support for children with disabilities from low-income families, and improves accessible public infrastructure. The budget also addresses the housing needs of vulnerable communities, including those living in landslide-prone areas and internally displaced families. Social protection reforms are being advanced through the Integrated Social Protection Registry and the People’s Income Support Programme, alongside measures to increase wages for estate workers and dedicated support for women’s empowerment.

In addition, the budget emphasises environmental research and strategies to mitigate human–wildlife conflict, supported by targeted infrastructure investments. No state can achieve environmental justice alone; collaboration is essential. This conference provides a platform to share experiences, research, and solutions, strengthening regional capacity and solidarity. Sri Lanka calls upon our partners to join us in building resilient communities, effective social work institutions, and inclusive policies that respond to climate challenges.”

The event was attended by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage, Prof. Machiko Ohara, President of the International Federation of Social Work Asia-Pacific, and other distinguished guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]