National Legislation and Coordination Mechanisms SRI LANKA P. M. Jayatilaka Banda Director Department of Meteorology Colombo, SRI LANKA

Existing Warning System – Sri Lanka Prior to 26 th December 2004 Except in the case of weather related disasters (which were handled by the Meteorological Department with limited resources ) no proper early warning System were operational After 26 th December 2004 The country felt the need for a broader Early Warning Mechanism and hence an Interim Technical Committee was formed by H.E. the President to coordinate all activities and to develop a multi hazard early warning system

Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005 provides the legal basis for instituting a DRR system in Sri Lanka The act provides for the establishment of National Council for Disaster Management (NCDM), a high level policy making body chaired by H.E. the President. Furthermore, it provides for the establishment of Disaster Management Centre (DMC) for assisting the Council in implementing disaster risk management activities. The act provides for a framework for DRM and addresses disaster management holistically, leading to a policy shift from response based to proactive approach towards DRR.

National Council for Disaster Management Chairman: H.E. the President Vice Chairman: Hon. Prime Minister Ministers in-charge of foll. subjects – Social Services, Rehab.&Reconst., Home Affairs, Health, Science & Technology, Housing, Coast Cons.,Irrigation, Power, Defence, Police, Finance, Land, Fisheries, Foreign Aff., Water Supply, Highways, Urban Development, Education, Environment All the Chief Ministers Leader of the Opposition 05 members of Opposition Disaster Management Centre DM Technology and Mitigation Early Warning Dissemination Preparedness Planning Training, Education and Awareness Emergency Operations Director-General, DMC District level Emergency Operation Centres

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Coordination Mechanism in Disaster Management NCDM Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights RDA NBRO NSF Department of Irrigation Mahaveli Authority CMC & Fire Brigade NARA Military & Police CCD GSMB NWS&DB UDA Department of Meteorology CEA Ministry of Resettlement & Relief Services Ministry of Nation Building Petroleum Corporation Atomic Energy Authority Health Department CEB Dept of Social Services Medical Research Institute Marine Pollution & Prevention Authority Department. of Agriculture RADA I/NGOS UN Agencies Other Agencies Ministry of Rehabilitation District Secretariats District NGOs and CBOs Divisional Secretariats Provincial Councils Local Authorities

Disaster Management Centre District Disaster Management Committee District Disaster Management Coordinating Units Local Authority Committees District Emergency Op. RoomMilitary & Police Private Sector NGOs/ Civil Societies Divisional Level Committee Village Level Committee Business Communities Early Warning Sub Group Medical, First Aid S/Group Search & Rescue S/Group Village Task Force Coordination Group Disaster Risk Management Mechanism at Sub National level

 National Disaster Management Coordination Committee: with representatives from Govt. agencies, Donors, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, Media, Professional and Academic institutions, Private sector, and CBOs under the leadership of Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management  Inter Ministerial Coordination Committee: with representatives from Govt. ministries These coordination committees meet on monthly basis under Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights

Thank You