Our health-related research focuses on understanding the impacts of climate variability and change on climate-sensitive diseases in Sri Lanka. The primary objective is to support the development of climate-informed early warning systems for vector-borne and respiratory diseases. Recent work has also expanded to examine the seasonality of respiratory illnesses, including tuberculosis and other climate-sensitive diseases.  

Key Projects Undertaken

• Regional and Seasonal Variation of Dengue Risk in Sri Lanka and its Relationship to Climate (2009–2010)
• Climate Variability and Malaria (2003–2007)
• Climate Variability and Dengue (2003–2007)

 

1. Regional and Seasonal Variation of Dengue Risk in Sri Lanka and its Relationship to Climate (2009–2010)

This project analyzed the spatio-temporal distribution of dengue risk across Sri Lanka, with a specific focus on identifying its relationship with climate and environmental precursors during peak transmission seasons. Key outcomes:

• Characterization of regional and seasonal dengue risk patterns
• Evaluation of climate and environmental drivers of dengue outbreaks
• Evaluation of climate and environmental drivers of dengue outbreaks
• Assessment of the feasibility of a climate-based dengue early warning system

Support: WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), Thailand

2. Climate Variability and Malaria (2003–2007)

This study examined the interaction between malaria transmission and climate variability in Sri Lanka. Collaborating institutions:

• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
• Anti-Malaria Campaign (AMC)
• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Land Surface Group
• University of Kelaniya
• International Research Institute (IRI)

  Funding: NOAA / NSF / EPRI / NASA – Climate Variability and Human Health Program In parallel, scientists from the University of North Carolina and the University of Victoria (Canada) collaborated on related research addressing climate impacts on dengue fever.  

3.Climate Variability and Dengue (2003–2007)

This project focused specifically on understanding the relationship between dengue transmission and climate variability in Sri Lanka. Research focus and collaboration:

• Analysis of climate drivers influencing dengue outbreaks
• Same core institutional collaboration as the malaria study (IWMI, AMC, NASA/GSFC Land Surface Group,University of Kelaniya, IRI)

Funding: NOAA / NSF / EPRI / NASA – Climate Variability and Human Health Program International collaboration: Scientists from the University of North Carolina and University of Victoria, Canada contributed to research on climate impacts on dengue fever.