Key Programmes
Committees

Key Programmes

Towards a Safer Sri Lanka: Road Map for Disaster Risk Management

Programmes of the Disaster Management Division

• Cabinet approval has been obtained for a building for Disaster Management Coordination and Monitoring Centre. Plans for the building have been finalised.

• We are to pleased to announce that Memorandum’s Of Understanding have been signed with the following organisations for technical support for Disaster Management activities:
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • University of Calabria – Italy
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  • Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre – Bangkok (ADPC)
  • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Disaster Mitigation Programmes

• Equipment has been distributed for flood control in Kolonnawa.
• The ministry launched a tree-planting programme to create a natural safety wall along the coastal area from Colombo to Matara to mitigate disasters
• Funds have been provided to Hambantota and Nuwera Eliya districts, for rainwater harvests to address the problem of droughts.
• Funds have been granted under an agreement with National Building Research Organistion (NBRO) for disaster mapping and disaster evaluation on landslides in Matale District.
• The supply of equipment to the value of Rs100mn is being processed under a World Bank project for supply of boats, catamaran, and generators.
• The Ministry contributed in establishing the SAARC Disaster Management Centre. It obtained the membership of the Centre, for cooperation in the SAARC region through the exchanging of education, information and training.
• Monitoring Committees were established at National/District/Regional and Village levels for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation related programmes.
• The Ministry appointed four multi disciplinary teams for Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam and Kalutara districts, to assess the flood damages during  October and November 2006 and to submit suggestions for future mitigations. A plan of action is currently being drawn up for the mitigation of storm floods.
• Several steps have been taken provide disaster relief for the people in the Eastern Province, who were displaced due to the conflict situation.
• A National Policy for disaster management was drafted.
• The Ministry aims to do an independent evaluation on the post Tsunami relief and rehabilitation activities during the time period of 3 to 6 months after the tsunami. The objective of this is to identify the weaknesses of the programme and also to utilise the resources more productively.  

Partnership Organization

• Asian Disaster Reduction Centre of Japan (ADRC) - www.adrc.or.jp

• Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) - www.adpc.net

• SAARC Disaster Management Centre of New Delhi - www.nidm.net