'Our focus has shifted from mere disaster response to
building true resilience'- Defence Secretary
November 04, 2024
- Disaster management requires a comprehensive, coordinated response from national to local levels.
“Under the steadfast leadership of His Excellency the President, government has shifted focus from mere disaster response to building true resilience. The Ministry of Defence (MOD), while maintaining its crucial role in post -disaster activities, now also emphasises poverty reduction and community empowerment enabling our people to act effectively both during and after disasters.”
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) expressed his thoughts while taking the stage as the Chief Guest at the Disaster Management Centre’s (DMC) National Symposium 2024 held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo today (Nov 04).
The Defence Secretary further went on to say that “the substantial reduction in disaster losses requires meticulous analysis, long-term planning, and sustained effort. It demands investment in prevention and preparedness, including military involvement and fullest cooperation of the civilian entities.”
The symposium was conducted under the theme ‘Reflections on Two Decades from Tragedy to Resilience: Retrospect of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami’. It further exemplified the collaborative spirit required to bring together the diverse expertise to share knowledge and innovations while refocusing on the blueprint to achieve ‘Tsunami-Ready Country’ status.
The keynote speaker, Professor Priyan Dias, shared invaluable insights on ‘Tackling Tsunamis in Sri Lanka: Insights from High Impact Low Occurrence (HILO) Disaster Management.’ Further, the prudent sessions of panel discussions throughout the symposium contributed immensely to the development of innovative solutions.
Tri-Forces Commanders, Acting IG, Senior MOD officials, Director General of DMC, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Professionals of Academia, Practitioners, Scientists and Engineers, Country Representatives of the Humanitarian Agencies, Representatives of the Partner Organisations and the collaborative international and local stakeholder institutions took part in the event.
