In line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015 - 2030 and also pursuing the government policies, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) under the guidance of Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, had commenced work related to drafting the country’s National Disaster Management (NDMP), for the period of 2023-2030.

Accordingly, DMC organised a workshop to review the final draft of the already prepared National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2023 – 2030. This was initiated with a view of instilling a cohesive and aligned approach in developing the country’s NDMP and stakeholders representing key government institutions, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), humanitarian agencies etc. were invited to be a part of the review discussions held on 4th November 2022, at the Mihilaka Medura, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

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Strengthening the preparedness and awareness of vulnerable communities for unanticipated calamities such as Tsunami is of paramount importance. With the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka, a project is being carried out to strengthen the school Tsunami preparedness in twenty eight (28) Tsunami prone schools, considered as highly vulnerable in the coastal belt of the Southern and Eastern provinces. This project is to be implemented by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) as a national programme, under the proposed pilot project of achieving “Tsunami Ready” status for Sri Lanka.  

Under the guidance and advice of the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, the first Training of Trainers (TOT) programme of the above mentioned project was held in September 2022, for the selected schools in the Southern province.

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Considering the nature and extent of incidents of sexual and gender based violence being reported frequently in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs formulated the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action 2016-2020 to address Sexual and Gender based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, which incorporated nine different sectors representing key government entities.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) played a pivotal role in contributing to the development of this Policy Framework and National plan, considering the fact that gender perspective needs to be integrated into all aspects of disaster management.

With the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian government, DMC was able to successfully complete the relevant consultative sessions and the launch of the publication “Handbook on Gender, Sexual Gender Based Violence in Disasters” took place on 19th August 2022.

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The Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka, H.E. Julie J. Chung made a familiarization visit to the Emergency Operation Center of the Disaster Management Center on 21st October 2022. The Director General of Disaster Management Center, Major General (Retd) Sudantha Ranasinghe, warmly welcome the delegation and discussions among them were mainly focused on matters related to joint humanitarian assistance for disaster relief (HADR), Training and future engagements between the countries to capacity enhance and capability developments related to disaster management activities.

The Director General National Building Research Organization, Dr. Asiri Karunawardana, Director General of Meteorological Department Mr. Athula Karunanayake and Director (Operations) of DMC, Brigadier Anil Perera also were present during the visit.

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