Is Sri Lanka Prepared for Rising Seas?

Frontpage Journal | July 2025

With over 1,300 kilometers of coastline, Sri Lanka’s beaches are among its most prized tourism assets. From the luxury resorts of Bentota to the surfer enclaves of Arugam Bay, the coastal economy powers the country’s tourism sector and sustains thousands of livelihoods. But the very shorelines that attract millions of visitors are now on the frontline of climate risk. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, salinity intrusion, and extreme weather events are not distant projections. They are present threats, and the tourism industry must confront them with urgency, not rhetoric.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that sea levels in South Asia could rise by over half a meter by 2100, even under moderate emissions scenarios. For a low-lying island nation like Sri Lanka, this translates into increased frequency of tidal flooding, saltwater encroachment into freshwater aquifers, and permanent loss of beach areas. These changes threaten not only coastal ecosystems but also the infrastructure, jobs, and investor confidence tied to seaside tourism.

The coastal tourism sector is both vulnerable and culpable. Hotels built too close to the shore disrupt natural dune systems and accelerate erosion. Over-extraction of groundwater by resorts contributes to saltwater intrusion. Mangroves and coral reefs, natural buffers against storms, are often cleared or degraded in the name of expansion. These practices reduce the coast’s resilience just as climate impacts intensify.

The economic consequences are severe. Declining beach quality affects tourist satisfaction and repeat visitation. Infrastructure damage from storms and flooding increases insurance costs and threatens business continuity. Reputational risks grow as international travelers become more attuned to the ethics and resilience of destinations. Coastal tourism, if not made climate-resilient, will not remain viable.

Yet most tourism development plans in Sri Lanka still treat climate adaptation as an environmental concern, not a core business strategy. This mindset must shift. Climate risk is not external to tourism operations. It is embedded in the viability of the product itself. The question is not whether to respond, but how, and how fast.

Adaptation begins with information. Detailed coastal vulnerability assessments are needed to map risk zones and guide future development. These assessments must combine satellite imagery, historical erosion data, and local knowledge to forecast high-risk areas. Such data should inform zoning laws that prevent further construction in exposed zones and require setback distances for new projects. Unfortunately, enforcement remains weak, and politically motivated exceptions undermine long-term resilience.

Nature-based solutions offer a critical buffer. Restoring mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs can significantly reduce wave energy and protect against storm surges. Studies show that healthy mangrove belts can cut wave height by over 60 percent. Investing in ecosystem restoration is not philanthropy. It is insurance for tourism assets. Yet mangrove replanting projects are often underfunded and disconnected from the private sector. A coordinated national program, supported by tourism levies or green bonds, could bridge this gap.

Infrastructure also requires a rethink. Climate-resilient design for hotels and resorts includes raised foundations, permeable pavements, solar-powered systems, and rainwater harvesting. Some coastal regions globally are experimenting with floating structures or amphibious buildings. While such innovations may not be immediately viable in Sri Lanka, adopting international design standards, like those of the Global Resilient Infrastructure Foundation, would send a strong signal to investors and insurers.

Disaster preparedness must be institutionalized. Early warning systems for tsunamis, storms, and flooding need to be accessible to both communities and businesses. Emergency evacuation plans, training for hospitality staff, and real-time weather communication systems should be standard in all coastal tourism zones. Technology partnerships with telecom providers and app developers can enhance reach and reliability.

At the policy level, climate adaptation must be embedded into tourism planning and investment approvals. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) should include climate risk metrics. Tourism incentives, such as land concessions or tax benefits, must be tied to resilience benchmarks. SLTDA and the Urban Development Authority must coordinate to ensure that coastal development aligns with national adaptation strategies and international commitments such as the Paris Agreement.

Insurance markets, too, have a role to play. Parametric insurance products that pay out based on predefined climate events can provide rapid relief for affected businesses. However, insurance alone cannot replace the need for risk reduction. Regulators and business associations should jointly promote risk audits, incentivize mitigation measures, and offer premium discounts for compliance.

Importantly, adaptation must be inclusive. Many of those most affected by climate risks in coastal zones are small entrepreneurs, fishermen, and informal tourism workers. Their voices must shape the adaptation agenda. Community-based resilience planning, participatory zoning, and local ecosystem monitoring empower those who have the most to lose. Equitable adaptation not only strengthens social cohesion but also builds a stronger business case for resilience.

For international branding, Sri Lanka can no longer rely solely on images of untouched beaches. It must showcase its commitment to climate-smart tourism. This includes transparent reporting on adaptation projects, sustainability ratings for coastal properties, and active participation in global climate tourism initiatives. Forward-looking markets are already integrating climate data into travel recommendations. Destinations that ignore this shift risk falling off the map, literally and figuratively.

In the coming decades, the coast will be a test of national resolve. Can Sri Lanka protect its natural and economic assets without compromising future growth? Can it design tourism models that absorb shocks rather than amplify them? The answers will depend on leadership, data, investment, and accountability. The ocean may be rising, but so too can Sri Lanka’s capacity to adapt, if it acts now.