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.

Climate risk is credit risk. The question for Sri Lanka's banking sector isn't whether to integrate climate considerations into lending decisions - it's whether to lead this transformation or be overwhelmed by it. The institutions that begin this work immediately will not only protect their portfolios but position themselves as leaders in the climate-resilient economy that Sri Lanka must build to survive and thrive in the decades ahead.