Japan has a multifaceted and impactful role in Disaster Risk Management within the IORA - State Minister of Defence
October 11, 2023- Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) serves as a platform for implementing Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to maritime disasters due to oil spills as Sri Lanka is situated in the busiest Shipping Lane in the IOR and cooperation between Navies and Coast Guards is vital to the management of our risks, said the State Minister Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon while making the opening remarks at a seminar on Disaster Risk Management and Japan’s Role in the IORA, yesterday evening (Oct 10) at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) in Colombo.
Japan has a multifaceted and impactful role in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) within the IORA and through knowledge sharing, capacity building, technology transfer, infrastructure development and active engagement with regional organisations; Japan has significantly contributed to enhancing the disaster resilience of IORA member states.
The LKI had organized the seminar in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Colombo.
The conference was graced by Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Hon. Komura Masahiro, M.P.
Underlining the significance of the event, the State Minister stated that IORA serves as a platform for implementing DRM by fostering cooperation among the member states and dialogue partners to create a resilient, connected and open Indian Ocean region, he said.
The Minister appreciated Japan’s leadership role in IORA's DRM initiatives and the support of Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), emphasizing Japan's very significant involvement in DRM within the Indian Ocean Region. He also remembered with gratitude Japan’s support during the 2004 Tsunami disaster.
Yamada Tetsuya of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka office, General Manager (Actg) of Marine Environmental Protection Authority A.J.M. Gunasekara and Director General of the DMC Maj. Gen. S Ranasinghe also contributed to the panel discussion.
Executive Director LKI Amb. Ravinatha Aryasinha made the welcome remarks. The Panel Discussion was moderated by the Director, International Relations and Founding Director, Centre for Strategic Assessment of Kotelawala Defence University Dr. Harinda Vidanage.
Distinguished guests, senior serving and retired tri forces officers and students of the LKI were present at the occasion.
