PM launches "Road Map for disaster risk management"

THE "Road Map for a Safer Sri Lanka", comprehensive program of action for disaster risk management in order to minimise adverse affects of natural disasters was officially launched on Friday when a copy of the Action Plan was presented to Prime Minister and Minister of Disaster Management Ratnasiri Wickremanayake by the Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management Dr. Upatissa Vidanapathirana at a ceremony held in Colombo.

Prime Minister Wickremanayake hailing the Road Map for Disaster Management as a historic one for Sri Lanka said it paves the way for disaster risk management taking a more co-ordinated approach.

He said that it lays down clear objectives to identify and co-ordinate multi stakeholder efforts in the next ten years through a holistic strategy in the form of a Road Map towards building a safer Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister thanked all those who assisted in the preparation of the Road Map including the UNDP and said that it needs the support of multi stakeholders over the next few years.

The Government looks forward for necessary support from everyone concerned in the endeavour to achieve the vision for a safer Sri Lanka as envisioned in the Road Map.

He drew attention to the efforts of President Mahinda Rajapakse to give a prominent place in the state's policy agenda for Disaster Risk Management by setting up a separate Ministry for Disaster Management which will take forward the "Disaster Management Act" passed in May 2005.

He also pointed out to the formation of the National Council for Disaster Management and Disaster Management Centre.

The Prime Minister: "I am confident that Sri Lanka will be able to manage disasters better, reduce loss of lives and causes least damage to property and livelihoods of our people and will reduce vulnerabilities of communities to disasters like floods, landslides, droughts, tsunami and cyclones in the future."

"We have to take action to prevent or reduce such hazards where possible and also prevent or reduce the impacts when they occur. In addition, we have to take action to increase the resilience of the community affected by the disasters to return to normalcy in the shortest possible time."

The Prime Minister also stressed that disaster management was not a separate sector of development but an integral part of development of all sectors. Causes of floods can be traced to the way development has taken place such as blocking natural drainage channels, filling up marshy land.

Although there were initiatives by different agencies in Sri Lanka there had been no legal framework and therefore the efforts of these agencies were not very successful. We respond only after a disaster occurs.

For effective management of disasters the country must have a proactive stance and must take measures in the pre-disaster stage to reduce impacts. Now with the legal framework in place the country is groomed to carry out disaster risk reduction activities pro-actively.

A well equipped Early Warning System is a key priority area for disaster risk management as well as a proper mechanism should be in place to ensure that the warning reaches every person and an educational and awareness programs on what steps they need to taken to save lives and belongings.

Dr. U. Vidanapathirana, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management in his introductory address termed the launch of the Road Map as a historic and a landmark event in the evolution of disaster risk management in Sri Lanka.

He said that the leadership Prime Minister Wickremanayake has given to disaster management since he assumed duties as Minister in charge of the subject has been inspiring and encouraging.

The Road Map for Disaster Risk Management in Sri Lanka prepared with UNDP support is one of the first activities undertaken by the DMC in collaboration with a range of stakeholders from the Government, international agencies and non-governmental organisations.

It also serves as a vision, document for leading the way towards a safe Sri Lanka and incorporates prioritized activities that need to be implemented over the short, medium and long term, Dr. Vidanapathirana added.

Abu Salem, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said that disaster management is a priority areas in order to reduce and minimise the ill effects of natural disasters.

He commended the Sri Lankan Government for the speed with which the Road Map for Disaster Management was drawn up with co-operation of all stakeholders.

He said it now up to all stake holders to work with commitment to realise the objectives and aims of the programs of disaster management. He also thanked the Governments of Sweden and France for the support they had given in this regard.

Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Executive Director of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) outlined the role of ADPC in "Disaster Risk Management" and said that the ADPC is committed to assist in the successful implementation of the Road Map.

Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre outlined the salient features of the Road Map for Disaster Risk Management.