State Minister Tennakoon has emergency meeting with state officials on disaster management and relief measures
June 02, 2024The State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura chaired a discussion at Ratnapura District Secretariat today (Jun 02) on providing relief to the flood victims in the Ratnapura district .
The State Minister addressed various issues including the measures to be taken to provide cooked meals and other necessities to the people affected by the calamity, allocation of necessary provisions for the relief activities through the District Secretariats, relief activities conducted by Tri-Forces, Police and the Civil Security Department (CSD). Further, he discussed with the state officials about the difficulties that arise in the running of relief centres and countermeasures to be taken.
Commander of the Security Forces (West) Major General Mahendra Fernando, Minister’s Coordinating Secretaries in Ratnapura District, District Deputy Chief Secretary – Administration, Senior Superintendent of Police, Senior Army Officials, Provincial Director of Education, Divisional Secretary, Irrigation Engineer, Executive Engineer of Road Development Authority, Electricity Superintendent, District Officer of National Building Research Organization, Headquarters Chief Inspector of Police and a group of staff officers from the District Secretariat also participated in the discussion.
After the discussion, State Minister Tennakoon addressed the media stating that 51895 people and 13584 families belonging in 261 Divisional Secretariats across 23 districts have been affected by the disaster, 22 people have died, 33 have been injured and two are missing as per the reports as at 12 noon today. He also mentioned that 25 relief centres are currently operational providing shelter to 1468 victims of 388 families.
He noted that the impact of flood is severe in Kalutara, Colombo, Matara and Galle districts and the rainfall exceeded 400 mm in some areas yesterday leading to the current situation.
The State Minister stated that the Disaster Management Centre is working to provide maximum relief to the affected people through the District and Divisional Secretariats. Tri-Forces, Police and the CSD have been deployed for relief work and Grama Niladharis , Development Officers, Agricultural Officers, Disaster Relief Officers and all Public Service Officers will do their best to provide maximum support and relief to the affected people.
Further, he told the media that the Sri Lanka Army personnel have been deployed to evacuate the affected people and to provide cooked meals for them while the Navy launched rescue operations using boats and ferries. The Air Force deployed three helicopters for relief operations, the Minister added.
Minister Tennakoon further stated that arrangements have been made to provide necessary provisions to relieve the disaster victims through the District Secretariats, as per the directives given by H.E. the President.
