Environmental Impact Assessments in Sri Lanka are fast losing their credibility due to poor quality in reporting standards. In this op-ed based on a recent CSF study, critical issues on social impact reporting contained in EIAs are flagged. The author calls for greater scrutiny by authorities, project promoters, and financial institutions.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are meant to anticipate and minimise harm to communities and nature, but CSF’s new report finds that the quality of social impact reporting in EIAs is low, making EIAs unreliable for decision-makers and investors to scrutinise and use.

The aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah has underscored an unavoidable truth: any future debt arrangements Sri Lanka enters must incorporate mechanisms that provide flexibility when climate shocks strike. As Sri Lanka plans its gradual return to international capital markets post-restructuring, future debt instruments must incorporate climate-contingent mechanisms.

The immediacy of any disaster we see the outpouring support from Sri Lankans - coming together to raise money, collect rations and clothes and deliver them where needed. But to break this cycle of stepping in where the state and government fail, we need proactive governance and planning, and not reactive as we have been for decades.

Sri Lanka must shape recovery governance that is both legally legitimate, and reflective of the inclusivity principles Sri Lanka has committed to under the Sendai Framework. A recently appointed committee to manage rebuilding funds is not inclusive, or reflective of contemporary Sri Lanka, and the complex needs in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

CSF Co-founder/Director Anushka Wijesinha is interviewed by Maleen Saeed of Al Jazeera news in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah (5 Dec 2025). He shared insights on the impacts to the economy, food prices amid supply shortages, and macroeconomic risks.