Democratic Socialists Republic Of
Sri Lanka
The Disaster Management Status

Overview
About Sri Lanka.
Natural Disasters in SriLanka.
Recent NaturalDisasters in Sri Lanka
Disaster risk
management in SriLanka.
Counter measures &International
Commitment.
Objectives of Visiting
Research and expected
Outputs1

Democratic Socialistic republic of
Sri Lanka
Geography

Location
Indian Ocean
Indian Sub Continent
Latitudes 5.55-9.55 N
Longitudes 79.42-81.52 ELand Area 65,610 SQ KM
Maximum Length: 424 km

Greatest width is 225 km.
Administrative Districts
Divisions 32425Back ground Information
Head of State: His Excellency the President Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksha

Head ofParliament: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka

Capital: Colombo

Population: 19.9 Millions(2005)

Language: Singhalese, Tamil

Religion: Buddhism

Member of:

Currency: Rupees (Rs.100 = 1.00 US$)GNP

: Rs.1,737bn US$ 18 bn(2004) at current market prices

Major Industries: Textiles and Garments ,Gem Cutting, Food Processing, Handy craft.

ADB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS(observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO

2Village Life of Sri Lanka

Ancient Heritage of Sri Lanka

Ruins of Vatadha Geya -Polonnaruwa

2000 Years Ago- Sketch ofVatadha Geya

3

Demographics
Population of 19.8
million,
75% are Singhalese,Female 51.8%, Male
48.2% Rural Population– 78.9%Average annual
population growth rate of1.3%
Life ExpectancyExpectancy- 72.8
LabourForce Participation Rate(percent) -48.6%
Un Employment – 8.6%
Department of Statistics and Census

Climate of Country
Tropical monsoonal
climate.
South west monsoon andNorth east monsoon
Average annual rainfall is1836 mm.
Clearly Demarcated ThreeZones.
Wet Zone: >2200 mm
Intermediate Zone:2000> 2200 mm
Dry Zone: <2000 mm
average temperature 2528 Degrees C.

Evening4

Sri Lanka Economy
Tea Plucking

Main Exports: Tea,
Rubber, Coconut
Garments, Gems &Minor Crops
Major Imports:
Transport Machinery,Foods, Electronic Items,
etc.
Tourism and foreign
Employment Play majorrole in Economy

Rubber Industry

Gems

Economic Targets of 2010
8% Growth in GDP by 2010
An Increase of in domestic
savings from 17.3 percentile to32% of GDP by 2010.
An Increase of investment
from 28% of GDP to 35% by2010.
An increase of exports 39.1 %to 50.8 of GDP by 2010.

5

Primary Natural Disasters
ofSri Lanka

Main Natural Disasters

Flood
Land slides
CycloneDrought
Sea erosion
Tsunami (Rare)

6

No. of Peoples Affected Due To Floods from 1974-2004

800000600000No. ofpeople
affected

40000020000001974

19771980

19831986

1989

1992

1995

1998

2001

2004

Source: DisInventar-NDMC

Rivers vulnerable to floods
Sri Lanka has 103 Rivers
but only 10 are
vulnerable to floods.
Main rivers Vulnerable toflood are.
1.Kalu Ganga
2.Kelani Ganga
3.Nilwala Ganga
4.Gin Ganga
5.Mahaweli Ganga

52
1
4
3

7

Landslides
Heavy rains , geological changes andindiscriminate clearance of steep slopes increased
the occurrences of landslides in Central andSouth Western regions of the Island.
Out of 25 Districts of Sri Lanka 9 Districts arevulnerable to Land slides, (Specially Ratnapura,
Kegalle, and Matara)
The landslides of January 1986, May and June
1989 and May 2003 surpassed all previous
landslides in recent memory,

No. of Reported cases of Land slides from 1974-2004

50

40

30

No. ofreports(No. of Divisions)
20

100
1974

1977

1980

1983

1986

1989

1992

1995

1998

2001

2004

Source: DisInventar-NDMC

8

Recent Landslides At Ratnapura (Palawela)
High Risk Areas

Photo: National Building Research Organization (NBRO)

Landslides con.d

Source: National Building Research Organization (NBRO)

9Droughts of Sri Lanka
2/3 rd of the country is under theDry Zone, so that vulnerable toDroughts asLocal Significant Drought: EveryYear
Regional Significant Drought: Every
2 to 3 years.
National level Drought: Every 10 to15 years.

No. of Reported cases of Droughts from 1974-2004

60

50

40

No. ofreports

30(No. of Divisions)
20

100
1974

1977

1980

1983

1986

1989

1992

1995

1998

2001

2004

Source: DisInventar-NDMC

10Cyclones
A large number of cyclonic disturbances had
either formed or passed close to Sri Lanka,
only 35 cyclonic storms/cyclone had crossed
the coasts during the period
1881 - 2001

26 cyclonic storms/cyclones had
crossed the coast in November andDecember. Therefore in Sri Lanka
November/December is recorded as thecyclone season.

No. of Reported cases of Strong Wind from 1974-2004

5040

30

No. ofreports(No. of Divisions)
20

100
1974

1977

1980

1983

1986

1989

1992

1995

1998

2001

2004

Source: DisInventar-NDMC

11

Tracks of Cyclones and Storms (1901-2000)

1978

Department of Meteorology

Sea Erosion of Sri Lanka
Length – 1620 km including shoreline bays
Coastal erosion – along 340 km of Coastline The
most critically affected areas are those between
Kalpitiya in the Northwest and Matara in the South.
Coastal zone supports– 34% of Population and 24% of landarea of the country
3 Major commercial ports located– Colombo– Galle– Trincomalee

12Changes in Sea Level cm

VARIATION OF SEA LEVEL
60
40200-20
1850

1900

1950

2000
2050
Time - Years

2100

2150

Source:WMO-IPCC

TsunamiTsunami is a very rare disaster of Sri Lankabut2000 years ago Sri Lanka had one
documented evidence of Tsunami disaster hit
to the western coast of Sri Lanka. It was theEra of king Kelanithissa. At that time the sea
eroded the land of 12 km from coast to inland(Mahawansa)
Again historic and a well documented tsunami
incident that hit Sri Lanka on 27th August
1883 was not widely known.
The 26 December 2004 Tsunami tragedy.

13

Recent Natural Disasters ofSri Lanka

Floods and Landslides
May16 &17 . 2003

14

Flood 2003 Districts at a glance
As at 06th October, 2003
AffectedDistrict
Families Deaths Missing
Hambantota
Kalutara
Galle
MataraRatnapuraNuwara Eliya

2241
24555
28173
47642
34478
132

21
11
1664
122
1

Grand Total

137221

235

1717

DamagedHouses
Fully
Partly585
944
1533
2145
3668
360

649
2330
4037
7201
9531255

9235

24003

National Disaster Management centre. (NDMC)

Areas Affected15

Plan of Action
Activity
1 Identification of affected families
2 Identification of Lands
3 Recommendation of NBRO/Irrigation
4 Awareness Creation Programme

5 Finalization of plans types & cost ofHouses

6 Construction of Houses

By
District Secretary
District Secretary
NBRO / Irrigation
National Disaster Mng. Centre,of the Ministry of Social Welfare
University of Moratuwa
Sri Lanka Ins. Of Architecture
Sri Lanka Ins. Of Architecture
Sri Lanka Ins. Of Town Planning
NHDADept. of Social Servicesof the Ministry of Social Welfare
District Secretary
NHDA

Between
01 - 10 July
01 - 10 July
03 - 19 July

10 - 20 July

19 - 24 July
20 July to15 October

Tsunami 26.12,2004

16

Tsunami 26th December 2004
December 26,2004 Massive earthquakes ofmagnitudes ranging from 8.6 to 9 that haveoccurred in Sumatra (Indonesia) and Nicobar
region (India) have caused tsunamis (tidalwaves).
These waves hit the Eastern, Northern,Southern and Western coast of Sri Lanka on
26th December 2004.
This has caused extensive damage to life andproperty in those areas.

National Disaster Management Center

Situation Report17

Area Affected
JaffnaN

Divisions 63W

Kilinochchi
Mullaitivu

ES

Mannar Vavuniya

Trincomalee
Anuradhapura

Polonnaruwa

PuttalamBattic aloa
Kurunegala
MataleKandy
GampahaKegalleBadullaNuwara Eliya

Colombo

AmparaMoneragala

Kalutara

RatnapuraHambantota

Galle
MataraNational Disaster Management Center

Source: Geological Survey & mines bureau.

18Estimated losses.
Education Sector:
Rs.1131.25 million
Fisheries Sector:
Rs. 19600 million
Tourism:Rs.1960 million
Health Sector:
Rs.6757 million
Railways:
Rs.7620 million

A express train from Colombo was hit by the tsunami wave at 9.35a.m. at
Telwatta in Southern Sri Lanka. With 1500 people on board, only 200 survived.
Villagers who were trying to escape were blocked by the train. More than 500
bodies found.

19

20

Current Disaster
Management Situation ofSri Lanka

Current situation of DM in Sri Lanka
By The extra ordinary gazettenotification on 8th Dec. 2005 His
Excellency the President Mahinda
Rajapaksha formed Two Ministries
to Disaster Management.
¾Ministry Of Disaster Management.
¾Ministry Of Disaster Relief Services.

21Agencies and Functions allocated to

Ministry of Disaster Management
Agency: National Disaster Management Council.
Functions:• Coordinating and management of relief activities
pertaining to natural and man made disasters.
• Coordinating awareness programmes on naturaldisasters.
• Early warning systems.
• Administration of Sri Lanka Disaster Management
act No. 13 of 2005.

Agencies and Functions allocated to

Ministry of Disaster Relief services.
Agencies:¾ National Disaster Management Centre.
¾ Emergency Relief unit.
Functions:• Formulation and Implementation of projects and programmes
to provide emergency relief to the affected parties in disastersituations.
• Implementation of rescue operations under natural and man
made Disasters.
• Coordination with relevant authorities to provide relief
facilities to the affected parties.
• Formulation and Implementation of programmes to restore
normal life and livelihood of people affected by natural andman made disasters.

22

Early warning Systems ofSri Lanka

Responsible organizations
Meteorological Department has a
responsibility of early warning for Tsunami,
Flood , Cyclones and other geologicallyinduced Disasters with collaboration ofIrrigation Department, Geological survey
Department ,NDMC and other relevant
Organizations.
Around Clock Warning centre functioning at
Meteorological Department.
Yet we have not properly organized anddeveloped early warning systems for all
natural Disasters.

23

Proposed DisasterManagement System For
Sri Lanka

Disaster management of Sri Lanka
Legal System:
Sri Lanka Disaster management act No.
13. (Already Passed by parliament on
13th may 2005)
According to act formed,
National council for Disaster Management.
(NCDM)
Disaster Management Centre (DMC)
Technical Advisory committees.

24

Members Of National Council for DM
His Excellency The President:
Chairmen
Hon. Prime minister: Vice chairmen
Leader of The Opposition.
The ministers in charge of thefollowing subjects:(i) Social Welfare(ii) Rehabilitation andReconstruction(iii) Environment,(iv) Home affairs,(v) Health(vi) Science and Technology(vii) Housing(viii) Coast Conservation(ix) Irrigation(x) Power(xi) Defense(xii) Police(xiii) Finance(xiv) Land(xv) Fisheries and aquaticresources(xvi) Foreign affairs(xvii) Water supply(xviii) Highways(xix) Urban Development(xx) Education
The chief ministers of every
provincial council
Secretary To the Council.
Five members of opposition.

Institutional Framework for National Disaster Management( Proposed by Parliamentary Select Committee for DM)
National Council for
Disaster Management

Ministry of DisasterManagement

Technical Advisory
Committees

Proposed DisasterManagement Centre

Other Relevant Ministries
Departments andProvincial Council

Private sector,
Professional
Organizations,
Civil SocietyGroups & NGOs

Provincial, Districts,
Divisional, Local &Village Level
Committees

Target community
considered as aresource not just victims- Community Level
Committees

25

Organization Structure for Disaster Management Centre.
( Proposed by Parliamentary Select Committee for DM)
Director General
Disaster Management Centre(DMC)

DisasterManagement
TechnicalDivision

HazardMappingand Risk
Assessment

Data
Collectio
nresearchandanalysis

Facilitating &Coordinating-Forecasting,
Early warning
anddissemination

Facilitating &ensuring Long
term Dis. Risk
Reduction &DRR
integration inDevelopment

Facilitating &Coordinating
Preparedness,
Response,
Recovery,Rehabilitation
andReconstruction at National
Level andmonitoring

Facilitating &Coordinating Preparedness,
Response,
Recovery,Rehabilitation
andReconstruction
at all levels
andmonitoring

Facilitating&Coordinating Training,
Education& PublicAwareness

National
Emergency
Operations
CentreFinance andAdministrationBuilding
Technology

Main Functions of the National Council
for Disaster management (NCDM)¾ Formulate:
A National Policy¾ Prepare, formulate , Monitor and implement:
National Disaster Management Plan
Emergency Operation Plan
¾ Facilitate:
Emergency response, recovery, relief,
Rehabilitation and reconstruction¾ Direct, coordinate and monitor :The Disaster Management Centre¾ Specify Guidelines:
To prepare of Disaster Management Plan byevery ministry, government department andpublic corporations.
¾ Promote: public awareness campaigns¾ Assign :Functions and responsibilities to theDMC

26

Main Functions of DMC
Assisting to Council to Prepare & Implement:
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)
Emergency Operation PlanEnsure :Preparation of Disaster Management
Plans by ministries, departments andpublic corporations
Facilitate and support:
local and community self relianceprepare and implement programmes:
For preparedness, mitigation, prevention, relief,rehabilitation and reconstruction

Counter measures andInternational commitment
for Disaster Reduction In
Sri Lanka27

Coordination with International
Organizations (IO) on Capabilityand Capacity Building

Asian Disaster Reduction Center(ADRC)
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center(ADPC)

Coordination with UN Agencies andIO s on capacity and Capability Building
Activity
WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WMO andFAO
European Commission Humanitarian
Office (ECHO)
Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs (OCHA)International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

28

Counter Measures-Flood Mitigation

Flood protection Bunds for Kelani Ganga.
1935-1945
Gin Ganga Flood Protection Scheme-1975(Funded by China)
Nilwala Flood Protection scheme-1993
Kelani Ganga Flood protection Study &Flood forecasting System -2000(DANIDAProject)Land slide Hazard Mapping (LHMP) Project –GOSL/NBRO/UNCHSTransition Recovery Support to Flood and Landslides
Disasters in Sri Lanka 2003 . (NDMC & UNDP)
Drought Mitigation: Rain Water Harvesting Project inMonaragala and Hambantota Districts (NDMC &ITDG).
Disaster Risk Information Management – DisInventarsystem (NDMC & UNDP).
Sri Lanka Urban Multi-hazard Disaster Mitigation
Project (SLUMDMP)- CHPB & Asian Urban Disaster
Mitigation Programme (AUDMP).

29

Current needs
Disaster Management and Preparedness

Establishment of multidisciplinary
national disaster operationcenter.Including training of core staff,
equipment to improve communicationand information management.
Geographic Information System todetermine priority areas for disastermitigation and preparedness andcreate hazard maps upgrading disaster
preparedness at village, divisional,
district and national levels.
National Disaster Management Center

Development of Disaster Information
Management System.
Stock filing and providing equipments
Establishment of a National Emergency
Response capacity.
Enhancement of Training and educating.
Strengthening international and regional
cooperation.
Establishment of an Early WarningSystem.
National Disaster Management Center

30

Objective of the Visiting Research andExpected Outputs
Research on the facts leading to Natural disasters with specialreference to Tsunami, earthquakes, floods, droughts, landslides
etc. and studying the counter measures taken in Japan andstudying how it could be applied to Sri Lanka.
The awareness programmes on Disaster preparedness,
emergency drills etc. to general public, school children,
Community leaders and develop systems to improve the local
system in comparison with Japan.
The systems to be adapted for prevention, preparedness
arresting emergency hazards giving with special attention toearly warning systems for Natural disasters. and study planningof education, and training on Disaster reduction.
Studying how the International Cooperation works disasterprevention, mitigation, and preparedness at central and local
administrative levels.

Thank you for listening
G M J K Gunawardana.
Asst. Director(Visiting Researcher ADRC 2006)
National Disaster Management Centre.
Ministry Of Disaster Relief Services
Sri Lanka
National Disaster Management Center31