Officials of the Colombo Municipal Council informed a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat that the main cause of the flash floods in Colombo yesterday afternoon (06) was the exceptionally heavy rainfall of approximately 129 mm within one hour.
They explained that the existing drainage system had been designed to withstand rainfall of around 30 mm per hour. In response, the Secretary to the President instructed that a special task force be established under the leadership of the Colombo Municipal Council, bringing together the Tri-Forces, the Police and relevant institutions, to ensure an efficient and prompt response to such emergencies.
The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (07), under the chairmanship of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to examine the causes of sudden flooding in Colombo and identify immediate measures to address the situation.
Discussions focused on preparing and implementing short-, medium- and long-term plans to upgrade the drainage system as required.
It was revealed that the indiscriminate disposal of waste had obstructed several drainage systems and canals. Attention was therefore drawn to the urgent need to clear drains and waterways that impede the proper flow of water and to take legal action against those responsible for improper waste disposal.
The meeting also identified unauthorised constructions within the Colombo Municipal Council area as another factor obstructing drainage systems and canals. Discussions highlighted the need to formulate and promptly implement plans to remove these unauthorised structures and relocate the affected people to suitable alternative locations. The importance of raising public awareness about proper waste disposal and maintaining clean waterways was also emphasised.
The meeting was attended by Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Secretary and Convenor of the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Aponso, Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S. P. C. Sugheeshwara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Engineer Dr Asiri Karunawardena, Deputy Mayor Hemantha Kumara, Municipal Commissioner, Engineer A. D. S. Rohana, Chairman of the Road Development Authority, R. M. S. Bandaranayake, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Major General M. K. D. P. Mapalagama (Retired), Chairman of the Urban Development Authority, M. G. Hemachandra, senior officers of the Tri-Forces and the Police, senior officials of relevant institutions and members of the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force.
