September 07, Colombo (LNW): Young representatives from across Sri Lanka’s nine provinces have called for greater attention to the country’s growing environmental and climate concerns, bringing local experiences and ideas to a national youth consultation held under LCOY (Local Conference of Youth) Sri Lanka 2026.
The national gathering, organised by Save a Life, was the culmination of consultations held at provincial level in partnership with nine organisations working in different parts of the country. The process gave young people an opportunity to bring community-level environmental concerns into a broader national discussion.
Participants raised issues affecting their own regions while exploring how young people can play a more meaningful role in shaping Sri Lanka’s response to environmental degradation and climate change.
The consultation featured expert-led discussions on protecting biodiversity, restoring damaged ecosystems, developing a circular economy and responding to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change.
Youth delegates also exchanged views on climate justice, nature restoration and ways of reducing waste and promoting more sustainable economic practices.
The ideas emerging from the provincial consultations and the national forum are expected to feed into the National Youth Climate Statement. The document will bring together young people’s priorities and recommendations and present a collective youth perspective on the environmental and climate action Sri Lanka should pursue in the years ahead.
