Coastal communities in Batticaloa, Jaffna, Galle, and Kalutara will participate in a nationwide tsunami preparedness exercise at 8:30 a.m. on November 5, 2025, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) announced.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami Exercise, IOWave25, forms part of a larger regional initiative coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) through the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS). The exercise aims to enhance early warning capabilities, test communication channels, and strengthen readiness among both authorities and local communities.
“The drill will involve key national agencies, including the Department of Meteorology’s National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC), the Tri Forces, Police, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), local authorities, schools, hotels, and residents in the four selected coastal districts. While the main national exercise will be conducted in Kalutara, all four districts will actively engage in the simulation,” the DMC said.
Authorities highlighted that IOWave25 is a planned exercise under UNESCO-IOTWMS guidelines and does not indicate a real emergency. In the rare event of an actual tsunami threat during the drill, the simulation will be halted immediately, and official national warning and response protocols will be activated.
The exercise highlights Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness through coordinated action and community engagement, ensuring that both officials and residents are ready to respond effectively in the event of a real tsunami.
