Abstract:
Climate change has been universal/y recognized as ajundamental human development chalfengein the 21" century
and also it impacts both natural and built environments. Since different parts oj the norld have predicted to be
affected by climate change in varying degrees,many oj the studies arejocused on climate change in global or region
leveLHowever, there is a dearth oj climatologicalstudies addressing the temporal trends in rainjall and temperature
at ciry scale. On other hand, recent rainjall and temperature extremes have adverse impacts on the natural and
built environment oj most oj coastal cities in Sri Lanka. In this context this researchattempted to examine trends
oj rainjalf and temperature patterns over the last jour decades in seven coastal cities (name/y, Rathmalana,
Hambantota, Trincomalie, Puttalam, Katunqyake, Batticaloa and Galle) in Sri Lanka to understand whether
thry support to claim the long-term climate change by identifYing temporal trends in the rainjalf and temperature
dun'ng the period oj 1971-2011.The findings oj the stucfy revealed average overall stations, the indices oj
temperature extremes indicate warming oj both dailY minimum and maximum temperature between 1971 and
2011. For precipitation, most oj the indices show significant changes.Relative to the changes in the total amounts,
there is a very significant change in theprecipitation extreme days. AccordinglY, this stucfy emphasized the need oj
integrating the climatic variations lvise/y in the urban planning can invest the capital oj the country to the
development rather than unnecessarilYspend it onpost disaster rehabilitations.
