24 August 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Kelani River provides water to over two million residents in the cities of Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and Kelaniya. These cities, being the largest water consumers and polluters, are also at the highest risk of negative socio-economic impacts due to poor water quality and system failure from ...

26 July 2026, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. To help conserve and restore vital mangrove ecosystems in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, communities in Mullaitivu District are restoring two hectares of degraded mangrove habitats in Nayaru Lagoon under an Adaptation Fund-supported climate resilience project. As part of the first phase of the restoration programme, more than 24,000 mangrove ...

3 June 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka. UN-Habitat, together with the National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) is implementing the project “Safe and Resilient Water Supply for Western Cities – Integrating Climate Resilience into Water Safety Plans of the Ambatale Water Supply Scheme”. The project is funded through a USD 469,232 grant from the Coalition for ...

1 June 2026, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu District, fishing communities face challenges to sustain their livelihoods.  They lack adequate knowledge and skills in proper fish handling and processing methods, as well as quality equipment and cold storage facilities. Unhygienic fish processing practices, poor storage and weak transportation systems are causing high post-harvest ...

4 June 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Marking the successful conclusion of the USD 5.5 Mn, KOICA – funded project “Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka”, the final national steering committee meeting was held today at the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils ...

12 May 2026, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.  Concluding an impactful four year, mutli-sector, community resilience project in partnership with UN-Habitat and the Government of Sri Lanka, the Korea International Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) handed over three vital water and sanitation facilities to the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and community members. These facilities were established ...

30 April 2026, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. Farmers in Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu District are facing difficulties in pursuing their agricultural livelihoods due to the adverse impacts of climate change in the region. With changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry periods and poor soil conditions, farming communities are experiencing lower crop production, resulting in reduced household incomes and ...

16 March 2026, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. Farming communities in Mullaitivu District are facing increasing challenges to access water for their agricultural livelihoods due to erratic rainfall, flooding, prolonged dry spells, and saltwater intrusion. The rehabilitation of minor irrigation infrastructure has been identified as vital to directly address both water insecurity as well as climate change ...

10 March 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka. UN-Habitat Sri Lanka held its second capacity building workshop for key stakeholders of the Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor flagship programme (also known as RISE-UP) at the United Nations Compound in Colombo. This full day interactive workshop focused on two key aspects: Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion ...

2 March 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka. UN-Habitat Sri Lanka together with the National Water Supply & Drainage Board and UNI Consultancy Services recently conducted preliminary field assessments to check the water quality of the Kelani River as part of the “Safe and Resilient Water Supply for Western Cities – Integrating Climate Resilience into Water Safety ...

23 December 2025, Colombo, Sri Lanka Cyclone Ditwah impacted 2.2 million people across Sri Lanka, due to torrential rains, landslides, and severe flooding. As a result, water infrastructure has collapsed – 413,000 household water connections are disrupted, 538 rural schemes are down, and 45 sewer treatment plants are non-functional. Vulnerable communities including women and children ...

6 December 2025, Kegalle, Sri Lanka.  UN-Habitat Sri Lanka’s technical team joined a high-level delegation headed by the Hon. Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Dr. H.M. Susil Ranasinghe and the Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi to visit cyclone-impacted areas in Mawanella in the Kegalle District. The Secretary to the Ministry of ...