In the recent past, the Southwest monsoon and cyclonic climate conditions triggered heavy rainfall across western and south-western parts of Sri Lanka. Heavy rains and high winds prevailed in most districts, during this period causing considerable damage to communities and properties. Gampaha was one of the worst affected districts during this period, with a large number of damages and displacements.

Under the guidance and advice of the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe with the assistance of the Asian Disaster Preparedness (ADPC) has made necessary arrangements to conduct an After Action Review (AAR) of few of the worst affected districts, during the Southwest monsoon in 2021. An AAR, is a qualitative review of the actions taken to respond to an emergency/disaster event, which would provide an opportunity for DMC and all related stakeholders to identify and document the challenges and gaps, shortcomings experienced during the process of managing such disasters.

As the initial programme, an AAR in the form of focus group discussions was conducted for Gampaha district, with the participation of representing a diverse group of key stakeholders such as government officers at local level and officers of key technical agencies including health, tri-forces and police, public representatives including business community, affected persons, non-governmental or humanitarian agencies (local and international) etc.