Venerable Muruttettuwe, along with the Air Force, sprinkled blessed water into the sky to stop El Niño.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has organized a special religious program to spray 'Pirith Pan' (blessed water) from the air and chant 'Seth Pirith' (blessings) in drought-affected areas, with the aim of seeking relief from the severe dry weather conditions prevailing across the island and bringing rain.

This operation was carried out on Saturday evening using a Sri Lanka Air Force Y-12 fixed-wing aircraft. During the operation, three venerable monks, including the Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero, chanted Pirith from inside the aircraft, praying to the gods for rain, while Air Force personnel sprayed Pirith Pan (blessed water) contained in five-liter plastic bottles over the drought-stricken areas. The Air Force stated in a social media post that this symbolic step was taken out of compassion for the suffering of the people due to the prevailing dry weather.

The Department of Meteorology warns that Sri Lanka, with an agricultural base and a population of 22 million, is currently facing the severe impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon. During the remainder of the year, severe dry weather as well as heavy rains in some parts of the island may occur. Although meteorologists predicted heavy rainfall from late September to December, there is a risk of another prolonged drought in the first half of next year.

Due to the prevailing dry weather, authorities have taken steps to close two out of the six zones of Yala National Park for tourists. Furthermore, the main reservoirs on the island, including those contributing to hydropower generation, currently hold only about 50% of their water capacity. Although this is a better level compared to previous years, there is concern that the situation could become complex if the drought intensifies further next year. Previously, the Electricity Board had also organized similar religious rituals when water levels in reservoirs dropped.

The El Niño phenomenon, a natural climate variation caused by rising sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, creates significant changes in global wind and rainfall patterns. Furthermore, scientists point out that the impact of such weather conditions is intensified because the warming of the atmosphere and ocean due to human-induced climate change adds additional energy and moisture.