r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Swift relief measures to all people affected by adverse weather
- State Minister of Defence

October 02, 2023
  •  All government agencies are geared in all respects to face the prevailing adverse weather condition

All government agencies  are geared in all respects to face the prevailing adverse weather condition around the country, the State Minister of Defence Hon. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon said in a news brief  held at the State Ministry in Colombo today (Oct 02).

All amenities have so far been provided at 07 disaster relief centres for 267 victims from 66 disaster-affected households, with the assistance of district secretaries, divisional secretaries and other relevant officials from Galle and Matara districts.

Required funds have been allocated for twenty three (23) districts as a quick response. Arrangements will be initiated to allocate required funds from the treasury to compensate the damages occurred to houses due to adverse weather.

One sluice gate each of Kukuleganga and Polgolla reservoirs has been opened so far. Therefore, the residents of the low-lying areas near the reservoirs are warned to be alert. Flood warnings have been issued for the river basins of Attanagalu Oya, Ging Ganga and Nilwala Ganga and the sub-basin of Kalu Ganga. Therefore, Motorists passing through those areas are informed to take special care in case of sudden floods.

Apart from this, level 2 Landslide warnings have been issued for the Divisional Secretariats, such as Neluwa in Galle District, Ingiriya in Kalutara District, Pasbage in Kandy District, Pitabeddara and Kotapola in Matara District, Kalawana, Aheliyagoda, Ayagama, Palmadulla, Nivithigala, Kiriella, Ratnapura, Alapatha and Kuruwita in Ratnapura District by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).

According to Met Department reports, heavy rains are predicted to continue for the following two days.

The State Minister of Defence further stated that the Disaster Management Centre, Disaster Relief Service Centre, District Governor’s Offices, Divisional Secretariat Offices, the Armed Forces and the Civil Security Department have been prepared to deal with any emergency situation that may arise in the future.