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Bill on National Council for Disaster Management presented

by Nadira Gunatilleke

A Bill to set up a National Council for Natural Disaster Management which incorporates a National Disaster Centre and a Disaster Management plan will be presented by Social Welfare Minister Ravindra Samaraweera in Parliament today.

Social Welfare Ministry Secretary V. Jegarasasingam told the Daily News that the new Act will be known as the Sri Lanka Disaster Counter-Measures Act.

It will be applicable when human life, property and the environment of Sri Lanka is threatened due to natural disasters and to protect human life and property of the people and the environment of the country from consequences of these natural disasters.

The Act will also include provisions for the setting up of a technical advisory committee, a disaster management plan, declaration of a state of emergency, awarding compensation and other measures in Disaster Management.

Under the new Act, the President is empowered to declare a state of disaster on her own volition or on the advice of the council by proclamation when there is a disaster which is beyond the resources of the administration. The Prime Minister will function as the Chairman of the National Council for Disaster Management.

The Council will draw up policies and programs for preparedness for disaster, emergencies, risk-reduction planning and prevention and mitigation of disasters. Ministries of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Environment, Home Affairs, Health, Provincial Councils, Science and Technology, Housing and Construction, Fisheries, Irrigation, Power and Energy have been included in the Council. In addition, the Deputy Ministers of Defence and Finance and Chief Ministers of Provincial Councils will also be in the Council.

A centre for National Disaster (Natural) was set up in 1996 with Cabinet approval and is housed at the Social Welfare Ministry. Rs. 5 million is allocated yearly to train officials from Divisional Secretariats and NGOs in work related to Natural Disaster preparedness. 

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