Special discussion on inclement weather-related emergencies held at
Emergency Operations Centre
May 24, 2024
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon chaired a special discussion on the wet weather-related emergency situation presently being experienced in the country at the Emergency Operations Centre of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) under the Ministry of Defence in Colombo, today (May 24).
Special consideration was given to the existing risk of falling trees. According to statistics, 6 deaths and 11 injuries have been reported as a result of tree falls since 19th and the tragedy has affected 34880 people from 9616 families in 18 districts.
The Minister praised the swift actions taken by the National Disaster Management Centre, State Departments, District Commissioner’s Offices, Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladhari, Development Officers, Relief Service Centre Officers and especially the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department to provide relief to the people affected by the disaster.
State Minister emphasized that the number of tree falls has been increased recently and government is looking forward to launching a national program as a preventive action. He further stated that the priority will be given to the school and the safety of the students at school premises through the programme ‘Surakimu’.
Also, the Minister expects the support of the Road Development Authority, Provincial Authorities and local governments to control the number of tree falls on the roads since it is high in numbers. He further looks forward to formulating a national policy under the guidance of a special committee, after conducting a proper study on tree planting beside the roadsides and educating the community in this regard.
Furthermore, the Minister also stated that necessary measures are expected to be expedited to control the flood situations in low-lying areas due to unsafe and unauthorized constructions.
Meanwhile, the Met Department predicts that the existing rainy weather conditions will develop in many parts of the island in the next few days. Therefore, the Minister instructed the relevant officials to expedite the necessary measures to obtain the required provisions for the disaster situations that may arise. The public is also requested to be aware of such emergencies.
Officials including Director General of the DMC Major General Udaya Herath, Director General of the National Building Research Organization Asiri Karunawardena, Director General of the Met Department Athula Karunanayake and Additional Secretary to the DMC Gamage Dharmathilaka participated in this event.
