President Orders Update to Disaster Management Act to Meet Current Needs

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed that the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act be updated to suit current conditions.

This directive was given during the 14th session of the National Council for Disaster Management, which convened yesterday under the President’s leadership.

The 14th session of the National Council for Disaster Management was held yesterday (August 6) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This marks the first time the council has convened in seven years. 

The last meeting took place on April 5, 2018, according to the Presidential Media Division.

The National Council for Disaster Management was established under the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005, following the urgent national need for a structured disaster response after the devastating tsunami in 2004.

At the latest session, the national disaster management plans and the National Emergency Operations Plan were presented and approved by the council.

Discussions also centered on current disaster risk reduction efforts in Sri Lanka, emerging trends, and future plans. 

A key point raised was the need for a unified operational structure with centralized coordination to enhance disaster preparedness and response.

Recognizing the increasing impact of climate change, the council emphasized the urgent need to revise the existing Disaster Management Act to align with current realities and to better meet new and evolving challenges. 

The committee decided that the law must be modernized to suit present-day conditions.

President Dissanayake also instructed officials to address financial constraints related to disaster response and relief measures. 

He directed the allocation of funds to resume stalled projects and proposed amendments to the financial provisions governing disaster management and compensation.

Furthermore, the council approved a proposal to establish a dedicated Disaster Management Fund.

President Dissanayake issued further instructions to expedite the identification of high-risk housing areas, ensure the safety of residents by relocating them where necessary, and review compensation payments. 

He proposed increasing the compensation amount granted by the government to affected households.