What is needed is justice and equality; President: Sri Lanka faces the greatest climate threat

President Dr Manmohan Singh said countries like Sri Lanka are not calling for help to overcome the threats posed by climate change, but are calling for justice and equality, said Mohammed Muizul.

In an article published in The Guardian, the President highlighted the issues to be discussed and solutions to be found at the forthcoming Fourth Conference of Small Island States.

The Guardian published an article in which President Muizumi said that many people in the world think that small island developing countries like Sri Lanka are just tourist destinations with beautiful villages. However, the President pointed out that the Sri Lankan capital, which is about twice the size of New York’s Central Park in the United States, is the most congested ruling city in the world.

The president said the city had been developed up to 2 meters above sea level to solve traffic congestion problems. At the same time, the president noted that Uppsala had been developed into a safe town by creating a buffer zone to protect drought-stricken towns and surrounding forests from damage caused by climate change.

The President said Uppsala was a development project that saved it from great danger and today it has become an economically and structurally developed urban center. The President also said that once the Rasmalai project initiated by his government is completed, it will become the first eco-city in the Indian Ocean that has been developed in an environmentally friendly way and will be less affected or damaged by climate change. The President said it is a perfect example of climate adaptation.

The president said the Sri Lankan government attaches great importance to development projects while protecting the environment. He said China is also facing the problem of forest bleaching caused by global warming, and many important development projects have been shelved.

The president said that even though projects like Rasmussen will cost millions of dollars and have a vision of environmental protection and sustainable development, climate funds and multilateral banks refuse to provide financial assistance on the grounds that these are infrastructure projects related to trade and the economy.

He said that if the works are funded, the island villages will be protected and bridge and waterway projects will be implemented to connect these villages with other villages. The president also noted that the expansion of infrastructure development will provide quality education and health services to many people and create a society that is ready for climate change.

The President said Sri Lanka’s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy will be successful with investments in renewable energy projects such as solar power. However, these can only become a reality with the support of financial donors.

The President said that as the fourth Small Island Developing States Conference begins, it must be acknowledged that small island states like Sri Lanka have not contributed much in emitting toxic gases that cause global warming. However, the international community must recognize that small island developing states are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, he said. However, the island states are not calling on the international community to do the difficult things or to receive funds in the form of aid. Instead, he said, small island states need fair and equal opportunities to survive the climate disaster without having to play too much of a role. Mohamed Muizhui said.