President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed public representatives in disaster-affected and vulnerable districts to take immediate action to prevent loss of life and provide relief to affected communities, as severe weather conditions have intensified with heavy rainfall expected to increase over the next two days. Sri Lanka Latest News
The President issued these directives during a special discussion held at the Parliament premises this morning (27), convened to review the emergency disaster situation and relief services arising across the country due to adverse weather.
According to a statement from the President’s Media Division, the President instructed MPs to visit their respective districts and assess the needs of affected residents. He further requested both ruling party and opposition MPs to convene District Coordination Committees and Regional Development Committees to evaluate risk levels in each district and area, identify potential future disaster scenarios, and act swiftly to ensure necessary protection and relief for the public.
It was also decided at the meeting to discuss these matters further at the party leaders’ meeting scheduled for 2.00 p.m. today, as ongoing budget debates and parliamentary proceedings have limited MPs’ ability to travel to their districts and assist with relief efforts.
The discussion focused extensively on public safety, rescue operations, and the continued provision of relief services, including healthcare for affected individuals.
Special attention was given to concerns surrounding the conduct of the Advanced Level Examination and the continuation of education.
The President also directed authorities to ensure the continued distribution of cooked meals and dry rations to people staying in relief camps, those trapped in their homes, and those temporarily residing with relatives due to the disaster. He also considered mechanisms for providing compensation for damaged houses and destroyed cultivated lands.
Further discussions highlighted the security of the irrigation network and the safety of highway systems in landslide-prone areas.
The President additionally instructed the Mahaweli and Irrigation Directors General to prepare advanced disaster-prevention plans, continuously updated with data from the Meteorological Department, and to closely monitor conditions to effectively manage the irrigation system during periods of heavy rainfall.
It was noted that both government and opposition members who attended the meeting presented their observations on the disaster situations in their respective districts, and the decisions reached were based on those submissions.
