Sri Lanka’s dry zone is highly vulnerable to climate change, with prolonged droughts, shifting rainfall patterns, and ecosystem pressures directly affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods. In Horowpathana, farming communities remain particularly exposed, as reliance on rain-fed cultivation, limited infrastructure, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities increase the risks they face.
To better understand these dynamics, SLYCAN Trust carried out a field visit in July 2025, engaging agriculture students, local government officers, and farmer representatives through Climate 2.0 sessions and a focus group discussion. These dialogues provided first-hand insights into climate impacts, institutional and financial gaps, and opportunities for adaptation. The findings emphasise the need for inclusive and participatory approaches, improved water management, accessible financial and insurance mechanisms, and youth engagement to build resilient agricultural systems and sustainable livelihoods in Sri Lanka’s dry zone.
