The National Disaster Management Council convened last night at the Ministry of Defence under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the ongoing emergency disaster situation caused by adverse weather conditions across the country.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, key Cabinet Ministers, Tri-Forces Commanders, senior defence officials, and heads of disaster management and irrigation authorities.
The President instructed security forces and relevant authorities to ensure uninterrupted rescue and relief services, while keeping the public informed with regular updates on weather conditions and high-risk areas. Officials were also directed to strengthen irrigation safety to prevent potential breaches due to excessive water accumulation in reservoirs and tanks.
Special attention was given to compensation arrangements for damaged households and farmlands, with instructions to utilize the support of Tri-Forces Engineering Units to prevent delays. The Ministry of Agriculture was tasked with providing fertilizer subsidies and seed paddy to restore affected farmlands.
The President emphasized the need for the Tourism Authority to provide essential services efficiently to foreign tourists affected by the disaster and warned against misinformation on social media that could cause panic.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa proposed forming a committee to engage with foreign governments on tourist safety.
