VR2016B

FREFACEOver the last quarter of the century in
the world has experienced many
Tsunamis. Thousands of people weredead due to improper warning
dissemination mechanism. This is theone of attempts to save the life in theWorld. By Ravi Jayarathne

Analysis of the Effectiveness of
Early Warning System to Face
Future Tsunamis in Sri Lanka bycomparing with Japanese Early
warning system.
Sri Lanka
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Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC
member countries. The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect
the views of the ADRC. The boundaries and names shown and the designations
used on the maps in the report also do not imply official endorsement or
acceptance by the ADRC.

Dedication
I dedicate this research to the Disaster Management Centre, ADRC, My family, and my Parents,
who thought us to think, understand and express. I earnestly feel that without their inspiration,
able guidance and dedication, I would not be able to achieve through the tiring process of thisresearch. I might not know where the life’s road will take me, but Walking with you, throughthis journey has given me the full Strength. Thanks for inspiring my life.

Acknowledgement
I wish to take this opportunity to convey the gratitude of the government of Sri Lanka to thegovernment and the peoples of Japan and in particular to the ADRC and respective organizationand institution of disaster management for the assistance provide to me. I hope that they willcontinue to assist and collaboration between us in the area of disaster management and early
warning in the future. And also I would like to give my sincere gratitude to Hon. Anura
Priyadarshana Yapa Minister to the Ministry of Disaster Management, Mr. S. S. Miyanawala
Secretary to Ministry of Disaster Management, G.L.S Senadeera Director General to theDisaster Management Centre, Major General Gamini Hettiarchchi, Major General LBR Mark
former Director generals of Disaster Management Center, Prof. Masanori Hamada chairman
ADRC, Mrs. Kyoko Kondo Executive Director ADRC Kobe and my mentors Mrs. Miki
Kodama Senior Researcher, Mr. Makota Ikeda. My special thanks goes to Mrs. Yumi Shiomi
for assisting, coordinating of all arrangement for success of my research in Japan. Finally, I
gratitude to ADRC staff and those who are encouraged me in various way.

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Contents

Page no.

Chapter I - Introduction
1.1 Disaster Management Mechanism in Sri Lanka ............................ 12
1.2 Disaster Management Mechanism in Japan .................................. 14

Chapter II – Early Warning Systems
2.1 Early Warning System in Sri Lanka ................................................ 22
2.2 Early Warning System in Japan ..................................................... 45
2.3 Tsunami ......................................................................................... 50
2.4 Tsunami Early Warning System in Sri Lanka ................................ 55
2.5 Tsunami Early Warning System in Japan ...................................... 55

Chapter III – Research Design
3.1 Methodology................................................................................... 72
3.2 Data Collection ............................................................................... 72
3.3 Data Evaluation Method .................................................................. 74

Chapter IV – Result and Discussion
4.1 Evaluation of General Information .................................................. 75
4.2 Use of New Technologies for Early Warning .................................. 78
4.3 Use of Conventional Methods for Early Warning ............................ 79
4.4 Social media and electronic media for Early warning ..................... 80
4.5 Use of Other Network for Early Warning (Military & police etc.) ...... 81
4.6 Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment .......................... 82
4.7 Different Administrative levels of Warning Dissemination ............... 82
4.8 Evaluation of Timing for Tsunami Early Warning ............................ 83
4.9 Awareness of tsunami early warning system.................................. 84
4.10 Effectiveness of Early Warning .................................................... 85
4.11 Analysis of Cost and Benefit investment for EW Systems ............ 85

Chapter V – Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 90
5.2 Recommendation for Japan and Sri Lanka .................................... 91
5.3 Common Recommendation to the world EW mechanism ............... 93

Chapter VI – Abbreviations & Reference
6.1 Acronyms and Abbreviations .......................................................... 94
6.2 Reference Web Sites...................................................................... 96
6.3 Books and Other Materials ............................................................. 96
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List of Figures

Pages

Figure 1: Tsunami hit to the coast of Sri Lanka
Figure 2: Japan surrounded by sea and Topology of japan
Figure 3: Ring of Fire and Japanese prefectures
Figure 4: Loss of life due to natural disasters science 1945
Figure 5: Structure of National Disaster Management Council
Figure 6. Organization of National Government and Cabinet Office
Figure 7: Structure of Basic Disaster Management Plan
Figure 8: Data collection and Dissemination of information Source JMA
Figure 9: Indian Ocean Regional Early Warning Mechanism
Figure 10: Two subduction zones which can generate Tsunami to Sri Lanka
Figure 11: Method of Receiving Information and Dissemination
Figure 12: Early warning tower in Trincomalee district in Sri Lanka.
Figure 13: Military EW dissemination Mechanism.
Figure 14: Military and Police in EW dissemination
Figure 15: Military and Police in EW dissemination
Figure 16: Army in EW dissemination
Figure 17: DEWN communication Network
Figure 18: Intra Government Communication Network
Figure 19: Thuraya communication Network
Figure 20: Electronic wave transforming technic
Figure 21: Thuraya communication Network
Figure 22: Radio Communication system in Vehicle
Figure 23: Role of the Media in Early Warning dissemination
Figure 24: Use of internet to Early Warning dissemination
Figure 25: 117 Call centre operation in Sri Lanka.
Figure 26: Community volunteers Early Warning dissemination
Figure 27: Last mile Early Warning dissemination
Figure28: Early Warning Coordination framework
Figure 29: An Outline of EWS in Japan Source: Cabinet Office, Japan.
Figure 30: Flow of information from JMA to the public
Figure 31: Alert Automatic communication system
Figure 32: Worldwide Monitoring of Seismic Activities by JMA
Figure 33: Tsunami wave travels
Figure 34: Tsunami Identification through tide gauge.
Figure 35: J-Alert Automatic communication system
Figure 36: Seismic intensity network monitoring by JMA
Figure 37: JMA Seismic station
Figure 38: Earthquake Early Warning
Figure 39: Response to an Earthquake Early Warning
Figure 40: Response to an earthquake early warning
Figure 41: Tsunami Observation Mechanism
Figure 42: Open ocean buoy by JMA
Figure 43: Ccoastal Tsunami Observation System
Figure 44: Issuing of Tsunami warning advisories source JMA
Figure 45: Flow of information, earthquake and tsunami Source JMA
Figure 46: Tsunami warning / Advisory categories

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Figure 47: Early Warning Communication System
70
Figure 48: Disaster Pretension communication system source
71
Figure 49: Comparison chart of General factors
76
Figure 50: Comparison of impact – chart
76
Figure 51: Japan and Sri Lankan costal belts.
77
Figure 52: Comparison chart of use new technology for EW
78
Figure 53: Comparison chart of Conventional EW
80
Figure 54: Comparison chart of social and electronic media for EW
81
Figure 55: Comparison chart of Rehearsals, testing of EW equipment
82
Figure 56: Comparison chart of different administrative levels of EW
83
Figure 57: Comparison chart of Identification, dissemination and reception of EW 84
Figure 58: Comparison chart of effectiveness of EW
86
Figure 59: SWOT windows
88
Figure 60: SWOT impact windows
89

List of Tables

Pages

Table 1: Technical Agencies responsible for issue of warnings
24
Table 2: Earthquake Early Warning Content
58
Table 3: Tsunami Information Table
67
Table 4: Tsunami Information base on Tsunami Observation
67
Table 5: Estimated Tsunami height68
Table 6: Tsunami Forecasting69
Table 7: Evaluation of General Information to Early Warning
75
Table 8: Use of New Technologies for Early Warning
78
Table 9: Use of Conventional Communication Methods for Early Warning (CCM) 79
Table 10: Utilization of social media and electronic media for Early warning
80
Table 11: Use of Other Network for Early Warning (Military & police etc.)
81
Table 12: Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment
81
Table 13: Responsibility of Different Administrative levels for W. Dissemination 82
Table 14: Evaluation of communication in the Tsunami Early Warning
83
Table 15: Awareness of tsunami early warning system
84
Table 16: Effectiveness of Early Warning System
85
Table 17: Analysis of Cost and Benefit investment for EW Systems
85
Table 18: Available and usability of the Early Warning Methods
86
Table 19: SWOT comparison table
88

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VR2016B(J.M.A.R. Jayarathne)(Disaster Management Center, Ministry of Disaster Management)(Sri Lanka)
ADRC Visiting Researcher FY2016B
Analysis of the Effectiveness of Early Warning System to Face Future Tsunamis in
Sri Lanka by comparing with Japanese Early warning system.

Abstract
On December 26 2004, about 4/5 of the costal belt of Sri Lanka was affected by a Tsunami which occurred due toan earthquake off west coast of north Sumatra Islands. The location of the epicentre of this earthquake was at 3.2N
and 95.82E at a depth of 30 km below mean sea level. The quake that occurred at 6:58:53 Sri Lankan time had amagnitude of 9.0 in Richter scale. Humans were confronted by an unprecedented catastrophe impacting the livesof people not only in the Indian Ocean region but all over the world. The death toll is believed to be over 270,000
people with billions of dollars in damage cost. It is widely acknowledged that if effective Early Warning System
had been in place in the Indian Ocean region, thousands of people could have been saved. The present Early
Warning System has designed for communicate from national level to district / divisional /Grama Niladhari levels.
The Early Warning towers, radio communication system, SMS and Cell broadcast system, fax, e-mail, intergovernment network, VPN line, social media are main sources of communication system already been establishedin the country. In addition to above communication system the police and military communication systems, media
and the land line telephone systems are utilised directly and indirectly for communication and coordination ofdisasters. Main initiatives were taken by the Disaster Management centre which was established after the Tsunami
in 2004. Over a decade, many systems and activities provided to enhance the Tsunami Early Warning System in
Sri Lanka. Two times tsunami evacuations (2007 & 2012) and one Tsunami warning (2011) were issued after the2004 up to now. A tsunami warning system (TWS) is used to warn coastal communities in advance and issue
warnings to prevent loss of life and property damages. Meteorological Department which is national warning cater(NWC) issue the warning and Disaster Management Centre is being disseminate those messages from national
level to local level.
The islands of Japan are located in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting intsunami, occur several times each century. The 1923 Tokyo earthquake killed over 140,000 people. More recent major quakes
are the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, a 9.0-magnitude quake which hit Japan on March
11, 2011, and triggered a large tsunami. Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is substantially prone toearthquakes and tsunami, having the highest natural disaster risk in the developed world. Japan is a developed country

thus the Sri Lanka is developing country. However, Save the people in the world from the disasters that should not
be the issue. Therefore, this study would be attempted to measure the effectiveness of the current systems of bothcountries and it will facilitate the future developments for the Tsunami early warning.
The study was identified the issues in both countries and forwarded the recommendations such as, Japan has to be
developed a traffic plan and it should be integrated with the early warning system to ensure the evacuation of thevulnerable communities due to high density of costal population and when the earth quake magnitude is more than07, the population of the 01 kilometer from the beach should be evacuated to the safer location with their vehicles
within 05 – 10 minutes and if they unable to evacuate within given time, aware the people to evacuate without
vehicles in order to avoid traffic jam, The Japan has to enhanced the awareness of the early warning systems,
channels, mechanisms and type and kind of early warning massagers which are going to be send the communities,
Japan is being disseminated several messages to general public and vulnerable communities. Therefore, each andevery people could not be taken appropriate decision. In order to reduce this panic situation before the relevanttime, Japan has to reduce the number of advisory, alert, warning messages. People do not need earthquake
messages, magnitude, epicenter, etc. when consider the tsunami. Japan has to emphasized to the communities on
evacuation message as soon as possible due to limited time for tsunamis, Japan has to be improved the conventional
communication system to response even during the night time. Early warning towers and other system could not
be explained the evacuation locations and further additional details, in such situation conventional mechanism areimportant to guide the people until reach to safe locations. Therefore, Megaphone, public address systems etc, has
to be ready in appropriate locations, Japan has more than 60 % elderly peoples. They are taken more than 15
minutes to evacuate to the safe location by foot. Most of elderly and different abled people will die due to tsunami
while they are moving to safe location and lack of awareness on early warning. In order to prevent such situation,
Evacuation messages has to disseminated as soon as possible, Japan ordinary used Japanese language to warn thecommunities but japan has to take keen attention about foreign delegates who are working in the japan. Therefore,

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japan has to provided warning message at least English language too like “Tsunami, Tsunami, please Evacuate,
Evacuate”.
Sri Lanka has to improve the dedicated communication system with the regional warning centers between thenational tsunami warning center to avoid the communication interruption. Sri Lankan peoples could not get theearthquake feeling where Sri Lanka is not locating in the earthquake fault or Ring of fire, Sri Lanka has culturaland social impacts for early warning specially language and giving night time evacuation order. The women cannot
be seen in the night around 7pm due to transport barriers, less security, culture itself refuse to see the women in
the night, dependence are not allowed etc, therefor Sri Lanka has to do the in the night time by using early warning
system to avoid the such situation. Only the early warning towers has provided messages by three languages. But
each and every warning messages has to be disseminate by “Sinhala, Tamil, English” language in order to preventthe language barriers in Sri Lanka and thus each administrative levels have to be kept in ready the prerecorded
warning messages to disseminate at the disasters, Sri Lanka has been struggling with new technology involvement
after established with the early warning system in 2009. Sri Lanka has to hired the technology from the original
suppliers and it has to upgrade by time to time expending high cost. It is highly recommending to integrate withlocal technologies which can be sustained and effective by corporate with technical institutes, The Sri Lanka has
a well-established early warning system. Though it is well established, there is no any dedicated channel toconform the dissemination and reception of the message. Sri Lanka is being utilized many other channels which
are military, police, etc. to overcome the current gap of early warning system. It is recommended to arrange a
dedicated line with several locations to get the feedback of early warning messages, After the great 2004 tsunami
the word “TSUNAMI” is famous in the country. But science, aptitude of the hazard and many other response
activates are not known by many other communities in the middle part of the country. Awareness on tsunami has
to be provided and enhanced to the communities in order to save the life from future tsunamis.

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Chapter I - Introduction
There is a growing recognition among many countries that natural disasters increasingly
constitute a threat to sustainable development. The impact of natural disasters on vulnerable
communities is increase in rate. In 2004 Tsunami tragedy occurred in the Asian region andthere was not any early warning mechanism to save the people lives. Therefore, more than
30,000 people were died in Sri Lanka. Because of that government establish the Disaster
Management Centre (DMC) for coordinate with other stakeholders to prevention, mitigation,
preparedness, training & public awareness and response in the impending disasters.
One of the functions of the DMC has identified as community early warning and dissemination
through the early warning systems. Therefore, DMC has been strengthening the early warning
system by using various technologies such as establishing of early warning towers, supply of
distribution of sirens and public addressing systems, SMS and cell broadcast system, etc. But
prior to beginning of all these systems in Sri Lanka, there were traditional warning mechanism
for various disasters. At the present all traditional and new technological systems areintegrated to get the maximum benefit to the community early warning.

09:00 (3-5 m)

08:50 (5-8 m)

08:40 (6-10 m)

08:30 (7-12 m)(4-5 m) 09:20
08:50 (7-9 m)(4-9 m) 09:15

09:00 (7-9 m)

Figure 1: Tsunami hit to the coast of Sri Lanka

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A tsunami is generated when a large amount of water is displaced very quickly. When theearthquake occurred outside of Sumatra, the Indo Australian tectonic plate moved 20 meters
below the Eurasian tectonic plate. This is called subduction. This caused the Eurasian plate tothrust up several meters. This earthquake also created submarine landslides. Events such assubmarine earthquakes and landslides release a colossal amount of energy that is transferredto the surrounding water. An ocean wave is not moving water, but energy that is passing
through water. The water particles do not move, but they transfer energy to the next particle ofwater. In deep water, a tsunami's energy is mostly located below the sea surface and the wave
height is just a couple of meters. This is why ships on the open ocean usually don't move muchwhen a tsunami passes beneath. In deep water, tsunamis can travel at speeds. When thetsunami moves into shallower water, however, its enormous energy is concentrated within asmaller volume. This yields waves of greater height and slower speed. The contours of the sea
floor and the coastline greatly influence the tsunami wave. The height of the tsunami waves
that came to shore in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami were between 24 and 30 m high.
Mostly many developments and civilization is occurring in the coastal areas. Tourism industry
is booming in the coastal areas. Therefore, to save the coastal communities, there should bea timely and effective early warring mechanism from the national level to the village levels.
After the introduction of the early warning system around 10 years ago in Sri Lanka, it has notbeen validated. This research will facilitate to clarify the current issues and identify solutions in
the early warning system in Sri Lanka with compare to the Japan.
On December 26 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck the western
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia triggering massive ocean waves or “tsunamis”. Humans wereconfronted by an unprecedented catastrophe impacting the lives of people not only in the
Indian Ocean region but all over the world. The death toll is believed to be over 270,000 people
with billions of dollars in damage cost. While many people are believed to have died in theearthquake, the main cause of death was trauma and drowning from the flux of seawater andwaves pouring into coastal areas without warning.
It is widely acknowledged that if effective early warning systems had been in place in the Indian
Ocean region, the death toll would have been drastically reduced While a relationship between
local, felt earthquakes and tsunamis was realized in ancient times in many societies, it wasmuch later in human history that it was realized that destructive tsunamis can propagate great
distances, far beyond the range of human perceptibility of the causative earthquake. The
present system of communication from national level to district / divisional / local authority /Grama Niladari levels or other specific identified locations is mainly through the Police andmilitary communication systems, radio communication, multi-hazard early warning towers,
media and the normal telephone systems. Alternative coastal wide communication systems
already been established for the Tsunami disaster. Main initiatives were taken by the Disaster
Management center which was established after the Tsunami in 2004.Over a decade, manysystems and activities provided to enhance the Tsunami Early Warning System in Sri Lanka.
2 Tsunami evacuations (2007 & 2012) and one Tsunami warning (2011) were issued after the2004 up to now. A tsunami warning system (TWS) is used to warn coastal communities inadvance and issue warnings to prevent loss of life and damages. Meteorological Department
issue the warning and Disaster Management Centre is catering all communications fromnational level to the local level but up to now No studies had conducted to evaluate the current
early warning system for the tsunami disaster.
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It is essential to ensure capacity of the Early Warning system to save more than 2 million lives
along the coastal area of Sri Lanka. Gaps of disseminating and community reception at nighttime also been identified. But up to now there is no any studies had been conducted to evaluate
the current early warning system for the tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka. It is essential to ensure
the capacity of the Early Warning system is sufficient to save the people who are living along
the coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the
Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretchingfrom the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The
characters that make up Japan's name mean "sunorigin", which is why Japan is sometimes
referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido,
Kyushu, and Shikoku, which together comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan's landarea. With over 127 million people Japan has the world's tenth-largest population.

Figure 2: Japan surrounded by sea and Topology of japan

The islands of Japan are located in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire. They are
primarily the result of large oceanic movements occurring over hundreds of millions of years
from the mid-Silurian to the Pleistocene as a result of the subduction of the Philippine Sea
Plate beneath the continental Amurian Plate and Okinawa Plate to the south, and subductionof the Pacific Plate under the Okhotsk Plate to the north. Japan was originally attached to theeastern coast of the Eurasian continent. The subducting plates pulled Japan eastward,
opening the Sea of Japan around 15 million years ago.
Japan has108
active volcanoes.
Destructive earthquakes, often resulting intsunami, occur several times each century. The 1923 Tokyo earthquake killed over 140,000
people. More recent major quakes are the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and the 2011
Tōhoku earthquake, a 9.0-magnitude quake which hit Japan on March 11, 2011, and triggereda large tsunami. Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is substantially prone toearthquakes and tsunami, having the highest natural disaster risk in the developed world.

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Figure 3: Ring of Fire and Japanese prefectures

Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding
prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. About
73 percent of Japan is forested, mountainous, and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or
residential use. As a result, the habitable zones, mainly located in coastal areas, are highly
populated. Making Japan as one of the most populated countries in the world.
Japan’s geographical and climatologically the country is vulnerable to frequent natural
disasters such as typhoons, torrential rains and heavy snow as well as earthquake, Tsunamis
and volcanic eruptions. Japan is located in the circum-Pacific mobile zone where seismic andvolcanic activities occur constantly.
Although the country covers only 0.25% of the land area on the planet, the number ofearthquakes and distribution of active volcanoes is quite high. Due to the geological formation
with plate boundaries of the Pacific plate, the Philippine Sea plate, the Eurasian plate, and theNorth American plate, Japan is substantially prone to earthquakes and tsunami, having thehighest natural disaster risk in the developed world.
Every year there is a great loss of people’s lives and properties due to natural disasters. As
such natural disasters remain a menacing threat to safety and security of the country. However,with the progress of society’s capacity to address disasters and mitigation of vulnerabilities todisasters by developing disaster management systems, promoting national land conservation,
improving weather forecasting technologies and upgrading disaster information
communication systems, disaster damage has shown a declining tendency.

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Figure 4: Loss of life due to natural disasters science 1945

The japan has many experienced on disaster management and Early warning to the publicwith comparing to the Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka has been established an early warning
mechanism to address the impending disasters after grate tsunami 2004. Japan is a
developed country thus the Sri Lanka is developing country. However, Save the people in theworld from the disasters that should not be the issue. Therefore, this study would beattempted to measure the effectiveness of the current systems of both countries and it will
facilitate the future developments for the Tsunami early warning.

1.1

Disaster Management Mechanism in Sri Lanka

Ministry of Disaster Management is the one of vital important ministry in the country which
is mandated for disaster management activities. Disaster Management Centre, National
Disaster Relief Service Centre, National Building Research Organization and Department ofMeteorology are being functioning under the Ministry of Disaster Management. The main
administration system for disaster management of the country operates under the central
government and through the Ministry of Disaster Management.
Link for more details- http://www.disastermin.gov.lk/web/
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The National Policy on Disaster Management (the ‘Policy’) is a core component of Sri
Lanka’s national regime for disaster management. It articulates agreed overarching
principles and preferred outcomes for disaster management in Sri Lanka. It also provides
policy directives to address the issues such as inadequate coordination among stakeholder
agencies, duplication of efforts and insufficient policy directives to reduce the human andeconomic impacts of disasters which were identified in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami
and the other recent disaster situations.
The 2005 Parliament Select Committee on Natural Disasters recommended formulation ofa national policy to manage disasters after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The Disaster
Management Act, No.13 of 2005 (the ‘Act’) provides that the National Council for Disaster
Management (the ‘Council’) shall formulate such a policy.1 Its preparation was the first listedof 60 outcomes for the period 2006-2016 under the document Towards a Safer Sri Lanka: A
Road Map for Disaster Management (‘the Road Map’). In accordance with the Road Map,
the Ministry of Disaster Management, as Secretariat of the Council, led a consultative
process to formulate the Policy with input and guidance from relevant agencies andstakeholders. More details please access the fallowing link. http://www.disastermin.gov.lk
The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005 is the main legal document for disastermanagement in Sri Lanka and it was enacted in July 2005 which provides the legal basis for
instituting a disaster risk management system in the country. The National Council for Disaster
Management (NCDM) is a high-level policy making body for safe the country from any
calamities. The chairman and vice chairman of the NCDM is H.E. The President and Hon
Prime Minister respectively. Other members are Leader of the Opposition, Ministers in chargeof 20 selected subject areas, Provincial Council Chief Ministers and five members of the
Opposition. The Act also provides for establishing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC)
under the Council to be the apex body for the purpose of planning, co-coordinating andimplementing of certain natural and other forms of disasters.

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Figure 5: Structure of National Disaster Management Council

Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005 provides for a framework for DRM in Sri
Lanka and addresses Disaster Management (DM) holistically, leading to a policy shift from
response based mechanisms to a proactive approach towards disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Twenty-one hazards come under the purview of the act. More details please access thefallowing link.
Link- http://www.dmc.gov.lk/attchments/DM%20Act%20English.pdf

1.2 Disaster Management Mechanism in Japana. Legal and Institutional Framework of Japan
In Japan, the DM system has been developed and strengthened following the bitter experienceof large-scale natural disasters and accidents over the years. The country has 7 basic acts, 18
disaster prevention and preparedness legislations, 3 legislations governing disasteremergency response and 23 disaster recovery and reconstruction and financial measures
acts. The first act i.e. Disaster Relief Act dates back to 1947 passed after the 1946 Nankai
earthquake. Thereafter every disaster led to learning and experience and it led to passing of
new legislation. There is almost a separate legislation for each disaster and separate
legislation for every aspect of disasters such as prevention, preparedness, response,
rehabilitation and recovery, building standard, financial measures, earthquake insurance, etc.
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The turning point for strengthening the disaster management system came after the immense
damage caused by the Ise-wan Typhoon in 1959, and led to the enactment of the Disaster
Countermeasures Basic Act in 1961, which formulates a comprehensive and strategic disastermanagement system in Japan. The DM system has further been strengthened following thelessons learnt from large-scale disasters such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, 1995.
The learning of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (GEJET) and nuclear
disaster has been incorporated in the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act by amending it inJune, 2012 and by making changes in Basic Disaster Management Plan in December, 2011.
The most notable piece of legislation is the Act passed in 2002 namely ‘Act on Special
Measures for Promotion of Tonankai and Nankai Earthquake Disaster Management’. The
country is expecting big earthquake which may arise out of Tonankai and Nankai troughs andthis legislation aims at reducing possible impact from these earthquakes and preparing thecountry to face them.

b. The names of different act and circulars Japanese government issued
time to time for various kinds of disaster issues
1. Erosion Control Act (1897)
2. Building Standard Law (1950)
3. Forest Act (1951)
4. Act on Temporary Measures for Disaster Prevention and Development of Special Land
Areas (1952)
5. Meteorological Services Act (1952)
6. Seashore Act (1956)
7. Landslide Prevention Act (1958)
8. Act on Special Measures for Disaster Prevention in Typhoon-prone Areas (1958)
9. Act on Special Measures for Heavy Snowfall Areas (1962)
10. River Act (1964)
11. Act on Prevention of Steep Slope Collapse Disaster (1969)
12. Act on Special Measures for Active Volcanoes (1973)
13. Act on Special Financial Measures for Urgent Earthquake Countermeasure Improvement
Projects in Areas for Intensified Measures (1980)
14. Act on Special Measures for Earthquake Disaster Countermeasures (1995)
15. Act on Promotion of the Earthquake-proof Retrofit of Buildings (1995)
16. Act on Promotion of Disaster Resilience Improvement in Densely Inhabited Areas (1997)
17. Act on Promotion of Sediment Disaster Countermeasures for Sediment Disaster Prone
Areas (2000)
18. Specified Urban River Inundation Countermeasures Act (2003) Vicinity of the Japan andChishima Trenches (2004)

c. Basic Acts
1. Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act (1961)
2. Act on Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster (1970)
3. Act on Disaster Prevention in Petroleum Industrial Complexes and other Petroleum
Facilities (1975)
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4. Act on Special Measures for Large-scale Earthquakes (1978)
5. Act on Special Measures for Nuclear Disasters (1999)
6. Act on Special Measures for Promotion of Tonankai and Nankai Earthquake Disaster
Management (2002)
Act on Special Measures for Promotion of Disaster Management for Trench-type Earthquakes
in the Disaster countermeasures basic act is the strong act was created at that time considering
all the issues and lesson learnt experience. In 1959 Ise-Wan typhoon was the major calamity
to think on develop the disaster countermeasure basic act which is still powerful tool fordisaster management activities.
At the national level Central Disaster Management Council, the apex body for DM in Japan ishoused within the Cabinet Office headed by the Prime Minister. Along with a series of reformsof the central government system in 2001, the post of Minister of State for DM was newly
established to integrate and coordinate disaster reduction policies and measures of ministries
and agencies. In the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for securing cooperation andcollaboration among related government organizations in the wide-razing issues, the DirectorGeneral of Disaster Management is mandated to undertake the planning of basic disastermanagement policies and response to large-scale disasters, as well as conduct overall
coordination.
Additionally, taking into account the lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake, 1995, the Cabinet Secretariat system was also strengthened, including theappointment of the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management and theestablishment of the Cabinet Information Collection Center, to strengthen risk management
functions to address emergencies such as large-scale disasters and serious accidents.

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Figure 6: Organization of National Government and Cabinet Office (Disaster management)
Source: Cabinet Office, Government of Japand. Disaster Management Planning System in Japan
In Japan Disaster Management Planning is done at three levels namely: Disaster Management of Japan is categorized into 3 levels including national, regional andmunicipal level. The significance of each level is delineated as follows:
1) National Level: The Prime Minister is the National Commander through the National
DisasterManagement Council, and the designed government organizations (23 ministries andagencies), and designated public cooperation (63 organizations including independentadministrative agencies, Bank of Japan, Japanese Red Cross Society, NHK, electricity andgas companies and NTT). In this connection, the national council is responsible for formulationand promoting the implementation of the Basic Disaster Management Plan. Meanwhile, theother two designed agencies of government and public cooperation are responsible forformulation and implementation of the Disaster Management Operation Plan.

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2) Prefectural Level: The Governor is the commander ordering via the Prefectural Disaster
Management Council, and designed government organization and public corporations in local.
The prefectural council will conjunctionally work with the mentioned designed agencies toformulate and promote the implementation of Local Disaster Management Plan.
3) Municipal Level: In this level, the Mayor of City, Town and Village is the commander, as thesame of Governor in prefectural level, will take function through Municipal Disaster
Management Council to formulate and promote the implementation of Local Disaster
Management Plan.
The plans at all levels have been prepared and regularly revised and updated incorporating
the lessons learnt and changes made in the Basic DMP prepared at the national level. DMP is
the main document which is referred to for disaster management and emergency response.

Figure 7: Structure of Basic Disaster Management Plane. A Data Collection and Processing System for Assured Communication
Japan is hyperaware of its shaky ground. The country withstands some thousand tremors a
year, and they’ve got 180 seismographs and 600 seismic intensity meters constantly tuned towhat’s going on in the underworld. They also have around 30 sea level gauges operated by
the coast guard and around 80 operated by the JMA that work in chorus to provide feedback
to a Data Processing and Communication system. The sensors take a reading, upload it to acentral processing system using old-fashioned wires and/or satellite uplink, and that central
system sends updates to the government, police, coast guard, telephone companies, and the
media. Sea level gauges also report disturbances in real time and help organizations model
trajectory and size of the oncoming waves.
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And then there are more specialized tools. There are tsunami detection buoys that help ruleout false alarms and give monitoring agencies a better idea of what they’re in for – or what
they’re not. Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami system, is made up of ananchored sea floor bottom pressure recorder and accompanying fiberglass and foam buoy on
the surface. The recorder on the ocean floor, which takes a note of temperature and pressure
every 15 seconds, sends data via an acoustic link to the surface buoy. The buoy then sends
information by satellite to Tsunami warning centers.
JMA monitors seismic activity and issues Warnings/Advisories and information on a 24-hourbasis. To provide these resources urgently and precisely, JMA needs to collect various seismic
data and analyze them quickly. To this end, the Agency operates a comprehensive systemcalled EPOS (the Earthquake Phenomena Observation System). This is responsible for
issuing Earthquake Early Warnings, Tsunami Warnings/Advisories, and Earthquake
Information.
Warnings/Advisories and information issued by JMA are transmitted to disaster management
authorities, local governments and the broadcasting media over a nationwide computer
network immediately. Disaster management authorities and local governments take action to
mitigate disasters based on these resources. Such action is also announced to the publicthrough the media and the Internet.

Figure 8: Data collection and Dissemination of information Source JMA

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f.

Earthquakes and Shaking

What is an earthquake? When people feel the ground shake, they exclaim, "It's an earthquake!"
Strictly speaking, what they are feeling is ground motion caused by an earthquake. As atechnical term, ground motion is used to distinguish this movement from the earthquake itself.
An earthquake is a destructive slip movement inside a rock plate deep under the ground. We
call the plane of this movement a fault, and the point at which a destructive slip movement
starts is called the hypocenter.
Such destructive slip movements cause vibration that propagates in every direction. Since
vibration travels in a wave formation, its movement is called a seismic wave. When thevibration reaches the ground surface, people become aware of earthquake motion. Thus, notall places on the surface of the ground shake at the same time. Locations closer to the
hypocenter shake first, while distant areas shake later.

g. Earthquakes around JapanThe boundaries of plates covering the surface of the Earth are classified into three types:
convergent, divergent, and transform types. Convergent boundaries occur where one platesubducts underneath another plate with density lower than the subducting plate or collides withanother plate in the case that both plates are composed of continental material. Continental
plates cannot dive into the mantle because their densities are lower than that of the mantle.
Divergent boundaries occur where new lithosphere (plate) is produced and plates move awayfrom each other at spreading ridges.
Transform boundaries occur where one plate laterally slides past another, displacing spreading
ridge. As an oceanic plate subducts underneath another plate at a convergent boundary, sucharea is called a subduction zone. The Japanese Islands are situated in a subduction zone in
the northwestern margin of the Pacific Ocean where the Pacific Plate and Philippine Sea Plate
subducting (the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate) several centimeters annually.
These plate movements cause forces to act in various directions around the country, which is
the reason behind the extremely high seismic activity in the area. Around Japan, therefore,
oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates. These continental plates are dragged down
as a result, and strain energy is accumulated. When this strain exceeds a certain level, it
causes the continental plates to jump up, and tremors known as interplate earthquakes occur.
Conversely, tremors generated by strain forces within a plate are called intraplate earthquakes.
They occur in subducting plates and shallow underground areas of continental plates.
Compared to interpolate earthquakes, intraplate earthquake occurring in shallow undergroundareas are relatively small, but can cause serious damage if they occur directly below populous
areas.

h. Japans scale
The JMA scale describes the degree of shaking at a point on the Earth's surface, and isanalogous to the Mercalli intensity scale. The intensity of an earthquake is not totally
determined by its magnitude, and varies from place to place; for example, a quake may bedescribed as "shindo 4 in Tokyo, shindo 3 in Yokohama, shindo 2 in Shizuoka". It is measured
in units of shindo ( 震度 , seismic intensity, lit. "Degree of shaking"). Japan experiences
approximately 400 earthquakes every day, although the vast majority are shindo scale "0" or
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less and detectable only using specialist apparatus. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
first assigned a four-stage Shindo in 1884, with the levels: 微 (faint), 弱 (weak), 強 (strong),and 烈 (violent).
In 1898 this scale was changed to a numerical system, assigning earthquakes levels 0–7.
In 1908, the levels on this scale were given descriptions, and earthquakes were assigned
levels based on their perceived effect on people. This scale was widely used during the Meiji
period, and revised during the Shōwa period with the descriptions seeing an overhaul.
Following the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995, levels 5 and 6 were divided in two, giving a
total of 10 levels of earthquake: 0–4, weak / strong 5, weak / strong 6 and 7. The Shindo scale
has been used in Japan from 1996 without change.

i.

Seismic Intensity and Magnitude

Seismic intensity and magnitude are easily confused because both have similar values.
Seismic intensity describes the scale of the ground motion at a particular location. It varies withthe distance from the epicenter and the surface geology at each point. JMA s seismic intensity
scale has 10 degrees (0 (imperceptible), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-lower, 5-upper, 6-lower, 6-upper, 7).
Magnitude is a numerical value that represents the scale of a fault slip underground. Largeearthquakes have high magnitude.

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Chapter II – Early Warning Systems
2.1 Early Warning System in Sri Lanka
Early warning mechanism in Disaster Management is a combination of tools and processes
embedded within institutional structures, coordinated by national and international agencies.
Whether it is focusing on one particular hazard or many, the mechanism comprises knowledgeof the risk, a technical monitoring and warning.

Figure 9: Indian Ocean Regional Early Warning Mechanism

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o A-B: Arakan: Andaman-Myanmaro B-C: Northern Sumatra-Andamano C-D: Southern Sumatrao F-G: Makran

Figure 10: Two subduction zones which can generate Tsunami to Sri Lanka

Service, dissemination of meaningful warnings to vulnerable communities and publicawareness and preparedness to act.
Warning services lie at the core of these systems, which will be a main task of technicalagencies which are mandated on various hazards having a sound scientific basis for predicting
and forecasting, and the capability to run reliably 24 hours a day.
DMC will be the focal point responsible for coordinating early warning, along with the relevant
technical agencies and Technical Committees, its dissemination and for ensuring last miledissemination. The Emergency Operations Centre of the DMC will be in constant coordination
with all technical agencies responsible for natural and man-made hazards and in instances of
any imminent disaster it will take action to create awareness among the people at risk.
DMC has established efficient systems to receive early warning and alert messages fromdifferent national technical agencies like Meteorological department, Irrigation Department,
NARA, Geological survey and Mines Beauro etc.

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a. Mandated Technical Agencies on different hazards
For the under mentioned disasters the following responsible technical agencies are mandated
to provide official early warning messages to the DMC.
Disaster

Responsible Technical Agencies(a)Landslide

National Building Research Organization (NBRO)(b)

CycloneDepartment of Meteorology

(c)

Flood

Department of Irrigation (DOI) / Mahaweli
Authority/Agrarian Services Dept./CEB/ NWSDB(d)Drought

DOI, Dept. of Meteorology, Dept. of Agriculture, Mahaweli
Authority(e)Industrial hazard

Central Environmental Authority (CEA), NACWC(f)

Tsunami (seismic wave)

Dept. of Meteorology(g)Earthquake

Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB)(h)

Air hazard
Aircraft Accidents

Met. Dept., CEA
Airport and Aviation Authority(i)

Maritime hazard

Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)

(j)

Fire

Local Authority (Fire Brigade), Police(k)Epidemic

Ministry of Health(l)

Explosion

Ministry of Defense, Police(m)

Air raids

Sri Lanka Air-Force(n)

Civil or internal strife

Ministry of Defense, Police(o) Chemical accident (Land and Sea) Ministry of Industries, CEA, BoI, NACWC, Ministry of
Defence(p)Radiological emergency

Atomic Energy Authority(q)

Oil spills including inland &marine oil spills

MEPA , Ministry of Defence(r)

Nuclear disaster

Atomic Energy Authority(s)

Forest fire

Forest Department(t)

Coastal erosion

Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management
Department (CC&CRMD)(u)

Tornado, lightning strikes and Department of Meteorology
severe thunder storms

Table 1: Technical Agencies responsible for issue of warnings

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DMC will be the main focal point responsible for coordinating early warnings. Along with therelevant technical agencies/Technical Committees. Disaster Management Centre has toensure last mile early warning dissemination up to the grass root level. The Emergency
Operations Centre of the DMC will be in constant coordination with all technical agencies
responsible for natural and man-made hazards and in instances of any imminent disasters. It
will take action to inform the responsible officers for onward communication to the sub-national
levels and communities. DMC has established an effective early warning system for disasters– natural, technological and man-made - through the Emergency operation Centre of the DMC.
Priority will be given for those disasters, such as tsunami, floods, landslides, tropical cyclones,
storm/sea surges etc.
Methods of obtaining information about impending disaster events and issuing early warnings
would vary from one hazard to another due to different characteristics of different hazards.
With respect to local hazards such as floods and landslides, local systems already available
will be strengthened. For other hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, adverse weather
conditions and cyclones the relevant agencies will work in constant coordination with therespective regional and international warning centers.

b. Key Responsibilities of Disaster Management Center on field of Early
Warning

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

vii.

viii.
ix.

Maintaining and operating Early Warning Towers and other early warning
dissemination equipment.
Dissemination of Early Warning Messages and ensure the receipt at remote vulnerable
villagers.
Co-ordination of donor assistance to strengthen capacity of technical agencies for early
warning.
Working out strategy and policy in the given area of activity.
Initiating awareness on activities related to early warning among the various agencies
and public.
Guiding District Disaster Management Units in coordinating and implementing warning
dissemination related activities in the Province, district, Local Authority, Division,
Grama Niladhari and community levels. Other Responsibilities such as establish
coordination with the local technical agencies responsible for forecasting different
hazards,
Establish a reliable communication system (telephones, radio communication etc.) fromtechnical agencies to the Emergency operating Centre (EOC) and to Provincial / District
Control Rooms directly or through EOC. To ensure the redundancy by having
alternative communication systems in place in case of breakdowns in the main system.
Have the system established with media and ensure dissemination of information
through same.
Create awareness among communities and all concerned agencies on thecommunication system in use for early warning and what immediate actions to betaken, especially on rapid onset disasters.

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Technical Institutions Responsible for Forecasting and Issuing Warning Alerts for Different
Hazards; and their Roles and Responsibilities. At present in Sri Lanka, there are several
agencies to handle issues related to different hazards / disasters mentioned above. For mostof the disasters, there is a government institution legally mandated to monitor the disasters
which fall within their expertise. For example, Department of Meteorology is responsible forweather related disasters such as tropical cyclones and tsunami, while Irrigation Department
is responsible for river floods. The present system of communication from national level to
district / divisional / local authority / Grama Niladhari levels or other specific identified locations
is mainly through the Police and military communication systems, radio communication, multihazard early warning towers, media and the normal telephone systems. Alternative
countrywide communication systems already been established and with these improvements.
DMC ensure that there will be a mechanism to inform the vulnerable communities immediately.
These include the Nation-wide Emergency Communication System, which will be used toprovide information on impending disasters, Inundated areas, closure of roads, safe areas etc.
Early warning messages are based on different stages which include “Alert, Warning,
Evacuation order, Withdrawals and Stand down” as defined below.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Alert: Initial messages to the vulnerable communities /relevant authorities Potential of a disaster.
Warning: A message to warn vulnerable communities of impending disasters
to take appropriate action.
Evacuation order: Order to the vulnerable communities to evacuate to a safer
location.
Withdrawal: Cancellation of the warning messages.
Stand down: Once the threat is over, communities are informed to return tonormalcy.

A comprehensive Early Warning (EW) system is established for effective issuing of EW
of an impending disaster at national and sub-national levels down to the last mile where
vulnerable communities are. Dissemination of warning from national level to thegrassroots level is divided into four layers, namely, National, District, Divisional and GN
Level. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) of the DMC receives the EW message
from International and Regional Technical Agencies. A national level EW message isdisseminated to the emergency response committees and their responsibility is to pass
the messages to their own organizations. District level EW is disseminated throughDistrict Disaster Management Centre Units (DDMCU) to the District Secretariat andstakeholder agencies and also to the political authority. Divisional level EW messages
are disseminated to the divisional secretariat from DDMCUs. Divisional secretariat will
disseminate the message to political authority, S & R teams, Police and district
stakeholders. At the same time that the EW is disseminated to the local authorities they
will pass the message to the vulnerable community.
GN level EW message is disseminated to the vulnerable community by last milecommunication tools. According to the EW framework, when there is an impending
disaster, the technical agency responsible for the given hazard determines the scale of thedisaster and the decision is conveyed to the Ministry of Disaster Management and theEmergency Operation Centre of the Disaster Management Centre. The technical agency
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regional and international EW agencies. The vulnerable community itself could also be asource of information to the technical agency regarding an impending disaster. The
technical agency or the first respondent is different for different hazards.

c. Setting the Boundary
Early warning systems alone do not prevent hazards turning into disasters. Early action isessential. Early action is more wide-ranging than emergency responses, covering a range oftimescales depending on the specific hazard.
The threshold levels of various technical agencies are described here.
(i)
Tsunami: The lower boundary can be identified as the time at which theearthquake occurred.
(ii)
Flood: Time at which the water level reaches the flood level in rivers or
reservoirs declared by relevant identified technical agencies.
(iii)
Landslide: Time at which the rainfall received reaches the saturation level.
(Refer Annexed NBRO threshold level). There are specific values to be calculated.
Landslide in Sri Lanka is triggered slowly by rainfall. Therefore, it is necessary to
calculate the level of rainfall in deciding on the issue of an alert.
(iv)
Cyclone: Alert level of a cyclone can be defined well in advance by predicting
the expected path of the cyclone. More often the boundary for alert is set 72 hours
before the cyclone enters into Sri Lankan coast.
(v)
Drought: Slow on-set; duration may vary depending on the terrain,
environmental condition and geographical area, etc.
(vi)
Other hazards: Prediction of following hazards is dependent on the event
occurring and as such cannot be predicted in advance and practically it is not possible
to set a definite time for activating the NEOP.
I.

Industrial Hazard

II.

Earthquake

III.

Air Hazard

IV.

Maritime hazard

V.

Fire

VI.

Explosion

VII.

Air Raid

VIII.

Civil or internal strife

IX.

Chemical accident

X.

Tornado / severe thunderstorm

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d. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
The Technical advisory committee is appointed by the National Council for Disaster
Management chaired by His Excellency the President. In the discharge of its functions the
National Disaster Management Council consists of professionals and experts having expertisein relation to the respective functions and responsibilities as the case may be, of the Council.
DMC must ensure to contact the technical advisory committees at a disaster to establish aproper chain of the early warning of the disaster. There must be separate Technical Advisory
Committees to address different types of disasters.

e. Responsibilities of the District Disaster Management Coordinating Units forearly warning
The District Disaster Management Coordinating Unit (DDMCU) is the district level authority
which is responsible for ensuring the dissemination of early warning messages to last milelocations. DDMCU will establish volunteer committees at the ground level and ensure to equipenough early warning methods and equipment at village level locations.

f. Role of Grama Niladhari in EW dissemination
Grama Niladhari (GN) is the government officer at the village level for the early warning
dissemination. With other relevant government officers GN will update the relevant committees
and ensure proper early warning dissemination at the ground level.

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Figure 11: Method of Receiving Information and Dissemination

Each organization will ensure and confirm the delivery of early warning messages up to thelast mile unit. DMC will confirm the proper functioning of the early warning system and ensure
the reception of the warning up to the grass root level.
There are several Early Warning methods were integrated with disaster early warning networkfrom National level to grass root level in Sri Lanka.

g. National Level and District Level Early Warning Systems


Early Warning Towers. – 77 numbers of early warning towers have been establishedin the costal belt of Sri Lanka science 2009. Impending cyclones, tsunamis disasters
situation can be disseminated through this towers within 5 to 10 minutes of period to
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the vulnerable communities in the costal belt. There are two ways of operate the towers
which are by satellite and the VHF (Very High Frequency) communication technology.
Towers were established base on the criteria which can be eliminated as risk of costal
belt to the tsunami disaster, population distribution and density of the area, Vulnerabilityof the area and the development concern. Prerecorded messages with the siren andlive voice can be disseminate to more than one kilometer distance from the base. It isalso depending on the climatic conditions and the weather. National Disaster
Management Center has been operating this system when it is needed and also District
Disaster Management Units can operate by manually. In general, there are four
messages used to deliver in the field of early warning to the public in any kind of disastersituation such as “Alert, Warning, Evacuation and Withdrawal.). This system also
complies with all messages where it is recommended in disaster management concept.
This is unique system for disaster early warning and no one can say where and whattime to be disaster happened in Sri Lanka. However due to mono poly system, rustingof tower and maintenance cost would be main critical constrain for continue this system.

Figure 12: Early warning tower in Trincomalee district in Sri Lanka.

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Figure 13: Military EW dissemination Mechanism.

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

Police & Military Communication system - DMC has direct coordination with militaryand police to disseminate the early warning messages to vulnerable communities.
Military and Police posts are located in many areas in the entire country. DMC mustensure the communication method and the accuracy of the early warning messages.
Military and Police have their own communication systems which can accessvulnerable communities and they can direct these communities to safe locations at
ground level.
DMC

VHF Communication, FAX,SMS/CB,

Telephone/Mobile

Military and Police

Receive Disaster
Information
Megaphone/ Sirens/ PA system/
Other Methods

Vulnerable communities
Figure 14: Military and Police in EW dissemination

DMC

OCDS

ARMY
HQ

AIR
FORCE
HQ

NAVY
HQ

COAST
GUARD
HQ

Vulnerable Community

Figure15: Military and Police in EW dissemination

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SECRET

ANNEX A TO
DOPS /OPS/DMC/18
DATED SEP 11

TSUNAMI EFFECTED AREAS AND RESPONSIBLE BDEs /BNSIIII7 SLAWC

SLE

II

X

8 VIR

521 BDE
II

II

16(V) VIR

17 GW

C

JAFFNA

10(V) GW
II

15(V) VIR

I

10(V) VIR
II

17 GW

C

20 SLNG

POONENRYN
II

I

17 GW

A

I

II

II

19 SLNG

23 SLSRII

29 SLNGKILINOCHCHIX

541 BDEI

591 BDEWELIOYA II

543 BDE

19 GW
24 SLSRII

26 GW

VAVUNIYA

XX

II

11 GW

X

54 DIV

26 GR

II

221 BDE

MULLIKULAM
C

X

II

SILAWATTURAII

23 SLLI

27 SLSRX

D

681 BDE

II

II

25 GW

II

X

27 SLSRA

MANNARI

II

MULAITHIVU

I

25 GW

A

20 (V) GW

26 VIR

MANKULAM
651 BDEX

BII

28 SLLI

25 SLNG

25 GW

PUTHUKKUDIYIRIPPU

II

II

II

6 VIR

TRINCOMALEE C
HOROWPOTHANA 2(V) GR

I

I

25 SLSR

XX

6 VIR
II

51

B

ANURADHAPURA IIIIB

2 SLNGHABARANAPUTTALAM

1 VIR. 2 SLNG

VAKARAI 2 SLNG

II

143 BDE

2 SLNGI

24 VIR

X

5(V) SLASAMPOOR .

22 DIV.

DX

2 (V) SLSR…

2 (V) SLSRD

233 BDEDAMBULLA

2 SLNGI

D

POLONNARUWA

II

2(V) SLSR. 12 (V) SLA
II

I

2 (V) SLSRC

. 12 (V) SLA
..

56

X

234 BDEKURUNEGALAII

8 SLNG
I

II

KANDY

2 SLASCNEGAMBOI

XX

COLOMBONUWARAELIYA

OCC
14 DIVIIDIYATALAWA

I

C

4 (V) SLEII

6 GR

16 SLNGSRI JAYAWARDENAPURAI

KALUTARA HOMAGAMAIIRATHNAPURA

6 SLACIEMBILIPITIYAXA

6 SLACHAMBANTOTA

533 BDEX

121 BDE…

II

B

6 SLACC

AHQ

4 (V) CESX

8 SLNGA

KATUNAYAKEII

8 SLNGD

6 SLSR

GALLE
II

II

BOOSSA
2 (V) GW

3(V) GW…

122 BDE
17(V) SLSR
10 CESMATARA
A-1
SECRET

Figure 16: Army in EW dissemination



Cell Broadcast and SMS - The Disaster Management Centre (DMC), together with
Dialog and other partners launched Disaster Emergency Warning Network (DEWN) –Sri Lanka’s first mass alert early warning system on 30th January 2009 after completing
a successful pilot period. The Disaster and Emergency Warning Network (DEWN) uses
GSM communication technologies and devices, and transmits alerts through the GSM
network. It can be used to issue customized alerts to selected recipients
instantaneously, and is compliant with the internationally accepted alerting protocol –CAP.The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) of the Disaster Management Centre has
been given access to the secure DEWN alerting interface. When information is
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received by the DMC, the information is verified, and customized alerts (with message
text and recipients specified) are issued. Messages can be received by mobile phones
or the specially developed DEWN Alarm devices. In a potential disaster scenario,
DEWN will be used to first alert the emergency personnel on their individual phones
and public alerts will issued only when a threat is adequately verified. It has developed
special phone software for Java/Symbian capable (smart) phones that causes thephone to rings continuously until acknowledged and displays the messages in all 3
local languages (Sinhala, English and Tamil). The software can be downloaded free.
DMC District Coordinators and other Special Disaster Management members, being
the first contact in each district, will be instrumented with such phones that members
referred as “key contactors”. 5000 key contactors are being registered in the system in
different locations in the country. More than eight million customers can be received
the DEWN Cell broad cast message at once. Only dialog customers can be received
the CB massagers. However, there is no any restriction to SMS reception from any
services providers unless otherwise not registered in the system.

Figure 17: DEWN communication NetworkIntra Governmental Network – Intra government network is being facilitating tocommunicate the information with the disaster management stakeholders district
disaster management unit by virtual privet network (VPN). This system has designed
as a user friendly mechanism with three digit numbers. This system has Initiallyintroduced by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

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Figure 18: Intra Government Communication NetworkSatellite Communication Network – The innovative Thuraya GSM Solution provides
added convenience for users needing to communicate outside of the GSM network
range. It is used to extend GSM services to remote locations (mobile locations) with
Thuraya IP as the backbone link. It gives end-users added mobility, more freedom andfewer restrictions on their communications. Thuraya GSM can enjoy the convenienceof using a GSM phone in remote locations since calls are established over Thuraya’s
powerful mobile satellite in the packet mode. Its main function is to allow GSM roaming
in remote and isolated locations where GSM services are generally not available. This
thuraya network has established in the DMC head office and district level consistingwith thuraya mobile and base station devices. This communication system cannot be
used in ordinary time due to high cost of operation. But it is very useful at the disastersituation thus other network jammed in the country.

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Figure 19: Thuraya communication NetworkLand line telephones / CDMA – The landline is also used to describe a connection
between two or more points that consists of a dedicated physical cable, as opposed toan always-available private link that is actually implemented as a circuit in a wired
switched system. This system has dedicated lines connected to the all agencies andinstitutes of the country such as police, fire department, hospitals, Military, etc.
Deployed as a precaution in case of emergency, these can be used at any time. CDMA,
which stands for Code Division Multiple Access, is a competing cell phone service
technology to GSM. This type of phones also use to communicate with others in an
emergency and ordinary time. DMC has also established the intra call network throughthe “ SISCO “ system.

Fax - An image of a document made by electronic scanning and transmitted as databy telecommunication links is called fax. Fax is used in the ordinary an emergency
situation to ensure the authentication and identity for post disaster evaluation anddocumentation. Most of the emergency situation this system cannot be used due tocommunication system jammed.

Radio Communication Network - Radio is the technology of using radio waves tocarry information, such as sound, by systematically modulating properties ofelectromagnetic energy waves transmitted through space, such as their amplitude,frequency, phase, or pulse width. When radio waves strike an electrical conductor, theoscillating fields induce an alternating current in the conductor. The information in the
waves can be extracted and transformed back into its original form.
Radio systems need a transmitter to modulate (change) some property of the energy
produced to impress a signal on it, for example using amplitude modulation or angle
modulation (which can be frequency modulation or phase modulation). Radio systems
also need an antenna to convert electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. An
antenna can be used for both transmitting and receiving. The electrical resonance of
tuned circuits in radios allow individual stations to be selected. The electromagnetic
wave is intercepted by a tuned receiving antenna. A radio receiver receives its input
from an antenna and converts it into a form that is usable for the consumer, such as
sound, pictures, digital data, measurement values, navigational positions, etc. Radio
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frequencies occupy the range from a 3 kHz to 300 GHz, although commercially
important uses of radio use only a small part of this spectrum.
A radio communication system sends signals by radio. The radio equipment involvedin communication systems includes a transmitter and a receiver, each having anantenna and appropriate terminal equipment such as a microphone at the transmitterand a loudspeaker at the receiver in the case of a voice-communication system.

Figure 20: Electronic wave transforming technic

The radio equipment involved in communication systems includes a transmitter and a
receiver, each having an antenna and appropriate terminal equipment such as a
microphone at the transmitter and a loudspeaker at the receiver in the case of a voicecommunication system. The power consumed in a transmitting station varies
depending on the distance of communication and the transmission conditions. The
power received at the receiving station is usually only a tiny fraction of the transmitter's
output, since communication depends on receiving the information, not the energy, thatwas transmitted.
A radio communication system may send information only one way. For example, in
broadcasting a single transmitter sends signals to many receivers. Two stations may
take turns sending and receiving, using a single radio frequency; this is called"simplex." By using two radio frequencies, two stations may continuously andconcurrently send and receive signals - this is called "duplex" operation.
Disaster Management center has a radio communication Network with 12 designatedchannels of VHF for short distance and HF for long distance. To activation and proper
function of these system, repeater station and base stations have been established invarious locations in the country. Piduruthalagala, Gongala, Panagoda,karagahathanna, Towood, Kokawill, are the main repeater station were established.
This system has been facilitated to communicate with various organizations such as
media, police, military, etc and sub national levels. All the disaster management
vehicles fixed with the same radio facilities to communicate with their respective
headquarters. By having base station, it can communicate more than ten kilometers
radius form the initiate point. Handheld set can be communicated less than five37 | P a g e
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kilometers radius form the initiate point. Also DMC allocated call sign for eachorganization for operational prospect of view.

Figure 21: Thuraya communication Network

Figure 22: Radio Communication system in Vehicle



Mobile Network - A cellular network is used by the mobile phone operator to achieveboth coverage and capacity for their subscribers. Since almost all mobile phones
use cellular technology, including GSM, CDMA, and AMPS (analog), DMC also ben
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used all kind of mobiles for data sharing and information sharing in round the clock.
DMC already been established a mobile network within national to district level for
effective communication. However, the mobile communication network has interrupted
and jammed due to call traffic and there is no capacity to cater the demand of the public
at a calamity. Therefore the mobile communication opportunity has only 15 to 20
minutes’ window opportunity to communicate at a disaster.


Fisheries and Fir Brigade Radio Communication System – Fire brigade andfisheries department have separate communication system to coordinate withresponsible officers and other relevant boats. Fisheries department has HF and VHF
radio communication system to communicate with multi-day boats and ships. This
communication system has made an opportunities to communication at a disaster even
if they are in the sea or harbor.

Media. – Disaster management center has appointed a media Sparkman torelease early warning information on the impending disasters. Media play asignificant role in creating awareness about disasters among common masses andthus reduce disaster risks. Media plays a prominent role in Sri Lanka, covering theentire island easily through television and FM radios with more than 50 channels.
National and local media channels have an edge on EWS. Their business iscommunication, getting the word out to the largest possible group of listeners orreaders. The media also have the responsibility to relay accurate and timely information
to those in need.
During disaster situations, media should not only inform the public with timely and factual
information but also advice the public about actions to be taken (e.g. evacuation, useful tips,
techniques, do’s and dont’s, etc.) and also inform on actions being taken by authorities, aidgroups and relief organizations. During an emergency, the media should be sensitive to theneeds of the public in affected areas and should avoid misinforming and broadcasting
unconfirmed reports that may lead to despair and panic. Reliable and timely information
provided through the media which are obtained through DMC and technical agencies help
people overcome unnecessary fear and fatalism during and after an emergency. Further, theDMC will organize press briefings as and when required on situational updates.

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DMC

Telephone/mobile, Fax,
VHF/HF, Intra
SMS/CB,
Government

Media
Agencies

SMS/TV/Radio/ Press
Release/Other
Methods
Vulnerable
Communities
Figure 23: Role of the Media in Early Warning dissemination

 Social Media Network – Social media are computer-mediated technologies that allow thecreating and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression
via virtual communities and networks. The variety of stand-alone and built-in social media
services currently available introduces challenges of definition. However, there are somecommon features. Social media use web-based technologies, desktop computers andmobile technologies (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) to create highly interactive
platforms through which individuals, communities and organizations can share, co-create,
discuss, and modify user-generated content or pre-made content posted online. Social
media changes the way individuals and large organizations communicate. Internet users
continue to spend more time on social media sites than on any other type of site. For content
contributors, the benefits of participating in social media have gone beyond simply social
sharing to building reputation and bringing in career opportunities and monetary income.
These changes are the focus of the Disaster early warning. Specially Facebook, twitter,
Viber, Messenger, WhatsApp, Imo etc are being used to early warning in the country. Mostof younger generation already been used to utilized the social media for other purpose thus
it is used to receive the early warning.
 E-mail and internet- Electronic mail, or email, is a method of exchanging digital messages
between people using digital devices such as computers, tablets and mobile phones. Emailoperates across computer networks, which today is primarily the internet. Disastermanagement center has utilized Email to pass the early warning to disaster managers which
are disaster management stakeholders. Also web site use to publish the early warning
before the disaster occur that can be used to people to decision making and evacuation to
the safe ground.

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Figure 24: Use of internet to Early Warning dissemination



117/119 call centers - A call centre or call center is a centralized office used forreceiving or transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone. Disaster
Management Center has established a call center to cater the disaster management
communication while shearing the early warning to the public. 25 seated has been
allocated to call center and it is working 24/7 basis.
Also 119 short cord communication line has been allocated under the department ofpolice in Sri Lanka. It is also help to share the early warning messages to the public.

Figure 25: 117 Call centre operation in Sri Lanka.

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h. Village Level
Fallowing early warning systems are being used to warn the people in the community levels in
the any impending disasters. These the systems are used base on demography, availability,
usability, feasibility and acceptability of the community. However, land line telephones, towers,
SMS, mobile network and media are activating same as national level. But once received theinformation to the respective institution, authority, or volunteers through the national disastermanagement center on impending disasters, the early warning mechanism will be activated.
By using following any method or more than one methods, are used to inform the vulnerable
communities.
 Land line telephones / CDMA Early Warning Towers
 SMS / Cell Broad cast
 Mobile Network
 Media Police Vehicles – Announcements
 NGOs and CBOs
 PA Systems/ Mega phones.
 Sirens (Hand and Electric)
 Temple and church bells
 Riders/ Push Bicycle & Motor Cycles/Messengers
 Early Warning Committees (Door to Door) Flags and different colour cords.
 Mosque Public Address system.
 Mouth to mouth.
 Traditional and other cultural systems

Figure 26: Community volunteers Early Warning dissemination

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Technical Agencies
DisasterManagement
Centre

DDMCU

Police&Military
Communication &Media Centre

District Level
Divisional Level

Police & Military

GN Level

Vulnerable
Community

Figure 27: Last mile Early Warning dissemination

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HazardRegional &International Early
Warning Agencies

Technical Agency

Ministry of Local
Government &Provincial Councils

Decide Scale ofHazardNational Council For Disaster
Management

National Level

Emergency Operation Centreof
Disaster Management Centre

Ministry of Disaster
Management

National Disaster
Management Advisory
Committee

National Disaster Management
Coordinating Committee

National
Stakeholders

Technical Advisory Committees
Emergency Response Committee

Media

Office of Chief ofDefense Staff(Army, Navy
Air Force),
PolicePolitical Representation

Office of Chief ofDefense Staff(Army, Navy
Air Force),
PoliceProvincial Councils

District Secretariat
District Level

District Disaster Management Coordinating
Unit

District
Disaster Management Committee
District Stakeholders
Media

Divisional Level

Municipalities

Divisional Secretariat

Urban Councils

Political Representation

Pradesiya Sabhas
Divisional
Disaster Management Committee

Office of Chief ofDefense Staff(Army, Navy
Air Force),
PoliceDivisional Stakeholders

Grama Niladhari LevelMedia

Grama Niladhari Division
Grama Sabha

Grama Niladhari
Disaster Management Committee& Sub-committees
Stakeholder Representatives

Hazard Information

Vulnerable Communities

Media Representatives

Search & Rescue
Teams(Army, Navy
Air Force)
PoliceVolunteer Groups /NGOs / INGOs /CBOs
Red Cross /Private Sector

Figure28: Early Warning Coordination framework

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2.2 Early Warning System in Japan
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is the sole national authority responsible for issuing
weather/tsunami warnings and advisories, earthquake early warning/alerts, and other disasterwarning and is required to provide reliable and timely information to governmental agencies
and residents for the purposes of natural disaster prevention and mitigation. Within the
structural framework of Japan’s central government, the JMA is placed as an extra-ministerial
bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). When a Heavy
Rain Warning is issued.
Sediment Disaster Alerts are issued jointly by MLIT and prefectural government civilengineering bureaus when sediment-related damage caused by heavy rain is considered likely
within the next few hours. JMA is also responsible for providing flood forecasting services incollaboration with central and local river management authorities. These services include flood
warnings and advisories covering 407 rivers (as of March 2011) throughout the country thathave been designated by these authorities as sites of potential flood disasters. Floodforecasting systems for 289 of the 407 rivers are managed jointly by JMA and the MLIT, andthe other 118 are managed jointly by JMA and prefectural governments. JMA operationallymonitors seismic and volcanic activity throughout the country and issues relevant warnings
and information to mitigate damage caused by disasters related to earthquakes, tsunamis andvolcanic eruptions. JMA began issuing volcanic warnings and volcanic forecasts for eachactive volcano in Japan on Dec 1, 2007 to mitigate damage from volcanic activity. Volcanic
warnings are issued in relation to expected volcanic disasters, and specify the municipalities
where people need to take action. Volcanic forecasts are issued for less active volcanoes or
those that become so.

Figure 29: An Outline of EWS in Japan Source: Cabinet Office, Japan.

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JMA operates the Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa Regional
Headquarters to observe and monitor weather and earthquakes and to issue forecasts,
warnings and bulletins for these regions. The Regional Headquarters give direction to Local
Meteorological Offices for the issuance and provision of information and comments on
prefectural and municipal levels. The Agency operates Aviation Weather Service Centers at
major airports to support the safe flow of air traffic. JMA also operates the MeteorologicalResearch Institute, the Meteorological Satellite Center, the Agrological Observatory, theMagnetic Observatory and the Meteorological College as location to research.

a. Dissemination of Forecast and Early Warning
In order to prevent and mitigate damage caused by natural disasters and support prompt
disaster prevention activities, JMA disseminates weather information and warnings via
various channels to government disaster prevention agencies, local governments, the mass
media and the public. For this purpose, the Agency maintains direct communication links
with meteorological offices and central/local governments. Strong communication withmunicipal governments that play direct roles in disaster management and mitigation in
affected areas is essential. Such communication is ensured via various channels for
information dissemination, such as prefectural governments, NTT (Nippon Telegraph andTelephone Corporation), J-ALERT (an instant information broadcasting system introducedby the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) and the Internet. To support prompt
disaster mitigation activities by local governments, the Agency has introduced a new
information provision system called the Information Network for Disaster Prevention (INDiP),
which enables effective and rapid dissemination of data in both text and graphic form.
INDiP connects disaster prevention agencies and local governments with JMA headquarters
via the Internet and provides detailed weather information and warnings tailored to individualmunicipalities. Information for maritime users is transmitted via the JMH radio facsimile
broadcast service operated by JMA and fishery radio communications services. Suchinformation is also disseminated within the framework of the Global Maritime Distress andSafety System (GMDSS), i.e. via the NAVTEX broadcast service of the Japan Coast Guardfor seas in the vicinity of Japan, and via the Safety-Net broadcast service for ships in thehigh seas via the maritime satellite INMARSAT. Nowadays, the Internet plays a vital role for
JMA in the public dissemination of a wide range of meteorological information not only on
forecasts but also on historical and current observation data.

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Figure30: Flow of information from JMA to the publicb. J-Alert System
J-Alert is the system to immediately transmit emergency information such as Emergency
Earthquake information, tsunami warning, information of ballistic missiles, which people
have no enough time to deal with, is transmitted to the municipalities by using satellite (via
the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the Cabinet Secretariat, and JMA). It became
operational on 09 February 2007 and on 01 October 2007 started sending the emergency
earthquake information. As of first March 2010, 344 municipalities have introduced thissystem. Among them, automatic activation system of radio broadcasting and community FM
has been introduced to 282 municipalities.

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Figure 31: J-Alert Automatic communication systemc. Observation System for Earthquakes In order to constantly monitor seismic activity, the JMA and other relevant organizations installand maintain seismometers that are used for estimating the location of the epicenter andmagnitude of an earthquake as well as for tsunami forecasts, and seismic intensity meters thatmeasure the intensity of ground motion, in numerous places nationwide. As soon as anearthquake occurs in or around Japan, the JMA analyzes the data from various seismometersand seismic intensity meters. Within about two minutes, it issues a seismic intensity information
report for earthquakes of intensity 3 or greater, and within about five minutes issues an
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earthquake information report indicating the epicenter and magnitude of the earthquake andthe seismic intensity in the municipalities where strong shaking was observed.

d. Distant Earthquake Information and International Tsunami Advisories
JMA monitors seismic activity not only around Japan but also worldwide. If a tsunami
generated by a distant earthquake is expected to hit the Japanese coast and possibly cause
disastrous conditions, JMA issues Tsunami Warnings/Advisories in the same way as for
local tsunamis. When a major earthquake occurs somewhere far from Japan, the Agency
issues Distant Earthquake Information to the public.
Tsunamis spread ocean-wide regardless of the borders of countries, and can cause serious
damage in multiple coastal areas. In order to protect human life and property against tsunami
hazards, we must work together with overseas related organizations. Within a worldwide
framework for a tsunami warning system, countries exchange observational data andinformation to enable earthquake/tsunami detection and measures against expected tsunamis
as early as possible. Japan has a wealth of experience and knowledge on tsunamis, and JMA,in such an international partnership role, plays a major part in contributing to tsunami disastermanagement measures in other countries. When a large earthquake occurs in the Sea ofJapan, the northwestern Pacific region or the Indian Ocean, the Agency analyzes the related
observation data and quickly provides International Tsunami Advisories to the countries ineach region. These advisories contain information on the earthquake and the possibility oftsunamis, and are used in the recipient countries for the implementation of emergency action
such as nationwide tsunami warnings and official evacuation.

Figure 32: Worldwide Monitoring of Seismic Activities by JMA

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2.3 Tsunami Disaster
Tsunami is a Japanese word with the English translation: "harbor wave". In the past, tsunamis
have been referred to as "tidal waves" or "seismic sea waves". The term "tidal wave" ismisleading; even though a tsunami's impact upon a coastline is dependent upon the tidal levelat the time a tsunami strikes, tsunamis are unrelated to the tides. (Tides result from thegravitational influences of the moon, sun, and planets.) The term "seismic sea wave" is also
misleading. "Seismic" implies an earthquake-related generation mechanism, but a tsunami canalso be caused by a non-seismic event, such as a landslide or meteorite impact.
Tsunamis are also often confused with storm surges, even though they are quite different
phenomena. A storm surge is a rapid rise in coastal sea-level caused by a significant
meteorological event - these are often associated with tropical cyclones.
A tsunami is a series of very long waves generated by rapid, large-scale disturbances of thesea—the sudden displacement of a large volume of water, generally from the raising or
lowering of the seafloor caused by:•earthquakes•

landslide••volcanic eruptions
explosions•

meteorites

Once a tsunami has been generated, its energy is distributed throughout the water column,
regardless of the water depth, and the waves travel outward on the surface of the ocean in all
directions away from the source, much like ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond. The
wavelength of the tsunami waves and their period depend on the generating mechanism andthe dimensions of the source event.
In the deep ocean, the height of a tsunami from trough to crest can range from a few
centimeters to a meter or more depending on the generating source. Tsunami waves in the
deep ocean can travel at high speeds for long periods of time over distances of thousands ofkilometers and lose very little Tsunami energy in the process. The deeper the water, thegreater the speed of tsunami waves is. A tsunami wave can travel more than 800 kilometers
per hour (km/h) in the deep ocean, but slows to 30 to 60 km/h in shallow water near land. But,
amazingly, pass under a ship in the ocean with those aboard the vessel hardly noticing.

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Figure 33: Tsunami wave travels

Tsunamis arrive at a coastline as a series of successive crests (high water levels) and troughs(low water levels) usually 10 to 45 minutes apart. As the tsunami waves become compressednear the coast, their wavelengths are shortened, and the wave energy is directed upward—
thus considerably increasing the height and force of the waves.
Tsunami waves may smash into the shore like a wall of water or move ashore as a fast moving
flood or tide—carrying along everything in their path. The historic record shows that manytsunamis have struck with devastating force, sometimes reaching heights of 30 to 50 meters.
It should be remembered that a tsunami run-up of more than 1 meter is dangerous due to thestrong force it has. Flooding by individual waves typically lasts from 10 to 30 minutes, but thedanger can last for hours. Greater tsunamis tend to move inland with the derbies andsometimes with massive fire.
Generally, coasts and islands with steep fringes or surrounded by barrier reefs are safer thanthose with gradually rising fringes or those that are exposed to open ocean. This is because
reefs can absorb much of the oncoming waves’ impact and deep coastlines do not allow
tsunamis to slow down and grow into deadly towers of water.

a. The physics of a tsunami
Tsunamis can have wavelengths ranging from 10 to 500 km and wave periods of up to an hour.
As a result of their long wavelengths, tsunamis act as shallow-water waves. A wave becomesa shallow water wave when the wavelength is very large compared to the water depth. Shallowwater waves move at a speed, c, that is dependent upon the water depth and is given by theformula:Where g is the acceleration due to gravity (= 9.8 m/s2) and H is the depth of water.
In the deep ocean, the typical water depth is around 4000 m, so a tsunami will therefore travel
at around 200 m/s, or more than 700 km/h.
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For tsunamis that are generated by underwater earthquakes, the amplitude of the tsunami isdetermined by the amount by which the sea-floor is displaced. Similarly, the wavelength andperiod of the tsunami are determined by the size and shape of the underwater disturbance.
As the tsunami propagates across the ocean, the wave crests can undergo refraction(bending), which is caused by segments of the wave moving at different speeds as the water
depth along the wave crest varies.

b. Tsunami as it approaches land
As a tsunami leaves the deep water of the open-ocean and travels into the shallower water
near the coast, it transforms, as the water depth decreases, the tsunami slows. The tsunami's
energy flux, which is dependent on both its wave speed and wave height, remains nearly
constant. Consequently, as the tsunami's speed diminishes, its height grows. This is calledshoaling. Because of this shoaling effect, a tsunami that is unnoticeable at sea, may grow to
be several meters or more in height near the coast.
The increase of the tsunami's wave height as it enters shallow water is given by:where hs and hd are wave heights in shallow and deep water and Hs and Hd are the depths ofthe shallow and deep water. So a tsunami with a height of 1 m in the open ocean where thewater depth is 4000m would have a wave height of 4 to 5 m in water of depth 10 m.
Just like other water waves, tsunamis begin to lose energy as they rush onshore - part of the
wave energy is reflected offshore, while the shoreward-propagating wave energy is dissipatedthrough bottom friction and turbulence. Despite these losses, tsunamis still reach the coastwith tremendous amounts of energy. Depending on whether the first part of the tsunami toreach the shore is a crest or a trough, it may appear as a rapidly rising or falling tide. Tsunamis
may reach a maximum vertical height onshore above sea level, often called a run-up height,of tens of meters.

c. Measuring or observing a tsunami
In the deep ocean, a tsunami has small amplitude (less than 1 meter) but very long wavelength(hundreds of kilometers). This means that the slope, or steepness of the wave is very small,so it is practically undetectable to the human eye. However, there are ocean observing
instruments that are able to detect tsunamis.

d. Tide Gauges
Tide gauges measure the height of the sea-surface and are primarily used for measuring tidelevels. These consist of an acoustic sensor connected to a vertical tube open at the lower end
which is in the water. The acoustic sensor emits a sound pulse which travels from the top of
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the tube down to the water surface, and is then reflected back up the tube. The distance to thewater level can then be calculated using the travel time of the pulse. This system filters out
small-scale effects like wind waves and has the capacity to measure sea-level changes within
1mm accuracy.

Figure 34: Tsunami Identification through tide gauge.

The tide gauge at Cocos Island observed the tsunami on December 26th 2004
as it passed by the island, as shown in these observations made during
December.

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e. Tsunami Monitoring by Satellites
Satellite altimeters measure theheight of the ocean surface directlyby the use of electro-magnetic
pulses. These are sent down to theocean surface from the satellite andthe height of the ocean surface canbe determined by knowing the speedof the pulse, the location of thesatellite and measuring the time thatthe pulse takes to return to thesatellite. One problem with this kindof satellite data is that it can be very
sparse - some satellites only passover a particular location about oncea month, so you would be lucky tospot a tsunami since they travel soquickly. However, during the Indian
Ocean tsunami of December 26th
2004, the Jason satellite altimeter
happened to be in the right place at
the right time.

:

–

-

Figure 35: J-Alert Automatic communication system

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The picture shows the height of the sea surface (in blue) measured by the Jason satellite twohours after the initial earthquake hit the region southeast of Sumatra (shown in red) on
December 26, 2004. The data were taken by a radar altimeter on board the satellite along a
track traversing the Indian Ocean when the tsunami waves had just filled the entire Bay of
Bengal. The data shown are the differences in sea surface height from previous observations
made along the same track 20-30 days before the earthquake, showing the signals of thetsunami.

2.4 Tsunami Early Warning System in Sri Lanka
Tsunami was affected in 14 coastal districts in Sri Lanaka. These are namely, Jaffna,
Mullaitivu, Tricomalee, Baticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo,
Gampaha, Puttalam, Mannar and Kilinochchi Districts. There are two subduction zones which
are having a risk of Tsunami to Sri Lanka such as Sumatra and Macaron. The National Early
Warning Centre will generate the messages to disseminate timely advisories to the vulnerable
communities.
The Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka which is the focal point for issuing tsunami alert
and warning messages. Once the Technical Agencies issues an alert or warning message,
the DMC is responsible for dissemination of these messages to the vulnerable communities
in the vulnerable areas. The dissemination from national level to district/division/Grama
Niladari level is done by using telephones, radio communications, tsunami warning towers,
SMS, cell broadcast etc. The most important part is the dissemination among the community.
The community based trainings on disaster management had been provided by the DMC forstrengthening community level message dissemination and the precautions.
Sri Lanka is being using the End to End Multi- Hazard system for tsunami disaster early
warning in a different angle. One of the uniqueness of the warning system could be utilized toany disasters for any time in the day. However, the efficiency and the effectiveness will bedepending on the time, culture, community, demography and sometime weather condition etc.

2.5 Tsunami Early Warning System in Japana. Earthquake and Tsunami Monitoring
Located in one of the most active seismic and volcanic zones in the world, Japan is frequently
affected by earthquakes and volcanic disasters. JMA operationally monitors seismic andvolcanic activity throughout thecountry and issues relevant warnings and information to
mitigate damage causedby disasters related to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions.
To monitor earthquakes, JMA operates
an earthquake observation network comprised ofabout 200 seismographs and 600 seismic intensity meters. It also collects data from over
3,600 seismic intensity meters managed by local governments and the National ResearchInstitute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED). The data collected are input tothe Earthquake Phenomena Observation System (EPOS) at the headquarters in Tokyo andthe Osaka District Meteorological Observatory on a real-time basis.

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Figure 36: Seismic intensity network monitoring by JMA

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Figure 37: JMA Seismic stationb. Earthquake Information issued by Japan Meteorological Agency
Earthquake Early Warnings (EEWs) are issued slightly after an earthquake occurs. There areno earthquake predictions which tell us occurrence of earthquake in advance.

Figure 38: Earthquake Early Warning

As soon as an earthquake occurs, the EEW system uses seismometers located near the
epicenter to calculate the hypocenter, magnitude and P-wave data detected by the areathat will be subjected to strong shaking, and provides a first announcement. EEWs are
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transmitted promptly. A sophisticated observation system to detect seismic waves quickly,
technology that enables forecasting from very weak shaking and communication technology
for prompt dissemination are the elements that enable JMA to issue EEWs.
The Earthquake Early Warning is aimed at mitigating earthquake-related damage by allowing
countermeasures such as promptly slowing down trains, controlling elevators to avoid danger
and enabling people to quickly protect themselves in various environments such as factories,
offices, and houses and near cliffs.

Title
Seismic Intensity
Information
Earthquake
Information
Earthquake andSeismic Intensity
Information
Information on seismic
intensity at each site
Shake Map

Information on thenumber of earthquakes

Content and Timing to be issued
This information is issued within about two minutes from an earthquake
to provide information on the regions where seismic intensity of 3 ormore was observed. Each prefecture is divided into 2 or more regions.
The location and magnitude of an earthquake is determined within
about three minutes. In case of no tsunamigenic earthquake, themessage of “Tsunami is not expected” is added.
This information indicates the location of the hypocenter, magnitude,
and name of regions, cities, towns and villages in which intensity of 3 ormore was observed.
All stations which observed intensity of 1 or more, hypocenter locationand magnitude of the earthquake are provided.
Just after an earthquake, the shaking-intensity map is prepared. Thismap is produced taking into account local geological conditions andobserved seismic intensity
When earthquakes occur frequently in a same place called earthquake
swarm, hourly/daily number of earthquakes is provided.

Table 2: Earthquake Early Warning Content

c. Response to an Earthquake Early Warning System
The period between the Earthquake Early Warning and the arrival of strong tremors is very short, i.e. amatter of seconds (or between several seconds and a few tens of seconds). As a result, areas that areclose to the focus of the earthquake may not receive the Earthquake Early Warning transmission before
strong tremors hit.
And there are limits to the accuracy of the Earthquake Early Warning, such as the estimated seismic
intensity. This is because the system is necessarily dependent on very short-term data. It is important tobe aware of these features and limitations when responding to Earthquake Early Warnings.

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Figure 39: Response to an Earthquake Early Warning

d. Tsunami Monitoring Network
When tsunamis are observed, JMA issues tsunami observation information including
observation points, tsunami heights and expected times of arrival. The Agency
operates about 70 tidal
gauge stations and also collects real-time sea-level datafrom stations operated by thePorts and Harbors Bureau (Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), the Geographical Survey Institute and the Japan Coast
Guard. Currently, JMA issues tsunami information using data from about 170 stations.

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Figure 40: Response to an earthquake early warning

Figure 41: Tsunami Observation Mechanism

e. Open-ocean buoys
An array of stations is deployed in the Ocean. These stations give detailed information abouttsunamis while they are still far off shore. Each station consists of a sea-bed bottom pressurerecorder which detects the passage of a tsunami. (The pressure of the water column is related
to the height of the sea-surface). The data is then transmitted to a surface buoy via sonar. The
surface buoy then radios the information to the Tsunami Warning Center via satellite. The
system has considerably improved the forecasting and warning of tsunamis.
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Figure 42: Open ocean buoy by JMA

f. Costal Tsunami Observation system
This system can operate a wireless network with a solar panel (potovoltatic) system and astorage battery system even in the event of a disaster, when commercial power and wired
information networks are inaccessible. With the coastal tsunami monitoring system, network
cameras were installed at different places to monitor the coasts. The plan is to transmit realtime video data to the City Hall Disaster Prevention Headquarters via a wireless system, alongwith data from the wave height gauge set up on the Coast. At the heart of this wireless system
is a multi-service access concentrator capable of handling data transfer over three wirelessnetworks—a 5G wireless link capable of transmitting videos, a 920MHz band specified lowpower wireless system suitable for transmitting wave height data, and WiFi. The system isalso powered by a self-sustaining power supply system consisting of PV panels and a lithium
ion storage battery unit.

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Figure 43: Ccoastal Tsunami Observation System

g. Tsunami Information issued by JMA
When a large earthquake occurs in a sea area, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
estimates the possibility of tsunami generation from seismic observation data. If disastrous
waves are expected in coastal regions, JMA issues a Tsunami Warning/Advisory. A numericalsimulation technique is used to estimate tsunami potential and propagation. After anearthquake occurs, Tsunami Warnings /Advisories must be issued immediately to enableevacuation before the wave strikes coastal areas. To enable immediate issuance of Tsunami
Warnings / Advisories, JMA has conducted computer simulation of tsunamis with earthquake
scenarios involving various locations and magnitudes, and the resulting information ontsunami arrival times and heights is stored on a database. If a large earthquake occurs, theoperation system quickly calculates its hypocenter and magnitude, searches the tsunami
database referring to these calculations, and selects the closest-matching results from thedatabase. Using the estimated height of the tsunami for each coastal region, JMA issues a
Tsunami Warning/Advisory.

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Figure 44: Issuing of Tsunami warning advisories source JMA

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Flow of information about Earthquake and Tsunami

Figure 45: Flow of information, earthquake and tsunami Source JMA

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h. Tsunami Warning/Advisory
When an earthquake occurs that could generate a disastrous tsunami in coastal regions ofJapan, JMA issues Major Tsunami Warnings, Tsunami Warnings and/or Tsunami Advisories
for individual regions based on estimated tsunami heights around three minutes after thequake (or as early as two minutes in some cases).
Immediately after an earthquake occurs, JMA promptly establishes its location, magnitude andthe related tsunami risk. However, it takes time to determine the exact scale of earthquakes
with a magnitude of 8 or more. In such cases, JMA issues an initial warning based on thepredefined maximum magnitude to avoid underestimation.
When such values are used, estimated maximum tsunami heights are expressed in qualitative
terms such as "Huge" and "High" in initial warnings rather than as quantitative expressions.
Once the exact magnitude is determined, JMA updates the warning with estimated maximum
tsunami heights expressed in quantitative terms.

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Figure 46: Tsunami warning / Advisory categories and action to be taken Source JMA

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i. Tsunami Information

When Tsunami Warnings and/or Advisories are issued, Tsunami Information bulletins on
matters such as estimated tsunami heights and arrival times are subsequently issued.
Messages about tsunami

Indication

Tsunami Information(Estimated Tsunami Arrival
Time and Height)

Estimated arrival times and heights of the tsunami for relevant
tsunami forecast regions.
* The estimated tsunami arrival time for each tsunami forecast
region is the time at which it is expected to hit first in any part ofthat area. Hence, in some coastal regions, tsunamis may hit after
the estimated time.

Tsunami Information(High Tide Time andEstimated Tsunami Arrival
Time at each place)
Tsunami Information (*1)
(Tsunami Observations)

The high tide times and estimated arrival times of the tsunami atselected points.

Tsunami Information (*2)
(Tsunami Observations at
Offshore Gauges)

Tsunami arrival times and heights observed at offshore gauges,
and related tsunami heights along the coast in the corresponding
forecast region estimated from offshore observations.

Arrival times and heights of the tsunami observed at tide gauges ortsunami meters.

Table 3: Tsunami Information Table(*1) Issuance of Tsunami Information based on Tsunami Observations
JMA announces the arrival times and initial movement of the first observed waves in coastal
areas, and also provides information on the arrival times and scale of the highest waves
observed as of the time of issuance.
As tsunami waves can hit repeatedly and those arriving later may be higher, it is inadvisable
to abandon evacuation if the initially observed waves are small. Accordingly, when a Major
Tsunami Warning and/or a Tsunami Warning is in effect and observed tsunamis appear muchsmaller than estimated, JMA uses the phrase "Currently Observing" rather than actual values
to keep people aware that higher waves may still approach.
Expressions used for observed maximum heights in coastal areas
Warnings/advisories in
effectObserved heights

Information bulletin expressions

Major Tsunami Warning

Height ＞ 1 m
Height 1 m

Actual values

Tsunami Warning

HeightTsunami Advisory

Height ＜ 0.2 m(all cases)

Actual values"Currently Observing" announcements

0.2 m"Currently Observing" announcements

Actual values("Slight" for very small waves)

Table 4: Tsunami Information base on Tsunami Observation

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JMA announces the arrival times and initial movements of the first observed waves offshore,
and also provides information on the arrival times and scale of the highest waves observed asof the time of issuance. JMA also announces estimated data for tsunami waves in coastal
areas (arrival times of initial waves and arrival times/heights of maximum waves) for eachtsunami forecast region expected to be affected.
JMA does not provide actual values for observed tsunami heights offshore or estimatedmaximum tsunami heights for coastal areas until the thresholds for issuance are reached (inthe same way as those for coastal areas) in consideration of the related influence on people's
evacuation. When a Major Tsunami Warning and/or a Tsunami Warning is in effect andestimated tsunami heights for coastal areas are small, JMA uses the phrase "Currently
Observing" for observed heights offshore and "Currently Investigating" for estimated heights
in coastal areas to keep people aware that higher waves may still approach.
Expressions used for observed maximum heights at offshore gauges and estimatedmaximum heights in coastal areas.

Warnings/advisories
in effect

Estimated tsunami
heights for coastal
areas

Information bulletin expressions

Major Tsunami
Warning

Height ＞ 3 m

Actual values for observed heights at offshore gauges
and estimated heights in coastal areas

Height3m"Currently Observing" for offshore observations and"Currently Investigating" for estimated heights incoastal areas

Height ＞ 1 m

Actual values for observed heights at offshore gauges
and estimated heights in coastal areas

Height"Currently Observing" for offshore observations and"Currently Investigating" for estimated heights incoastal areas

Tsunami Warning

Tsunami Advisory

1m(all cases)

Actual values for observed heights at offshore gauges
and estimated heights in coastal areas

Table 5: Estimated Tsunami height

For gauges more than 100 km offshore, JMA does not announce the relevant estimatedtsunami heights for coastal areas due to the difficulty of determining which tsunami forecast
regions waves will reach from offshore gauges. Announcement of tsunami heights observedat such gauges is begun when JMA issues an information bulletin detailing actual values forobserved and estimated heights from other offshore gauges closer to the coast. Until this time,
the phrase "Currently Observing" is used.

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j. Tsunami Forecast
After an earthquake occurs, if no damage is expected, JMA issues Tsunami Forecasts.

Forecasted sea levelchanges
No tsunami is expected
Tsunami height less than
0.2 meters is expected
Slight sea level changes are
expected to continue after
TsunamiWarnings/advisories areclearedMessage"No tsunami is expected." (To be included in Earthquake
Information.)
No damage is expected because sea level changes will be less than
0.2 m, and no special action is needed.
Particular attention is needed when fishing, swimming or engaging inother marine activities because tsunami-related sea level changes
have been observed and may continue for a while.

Table 6: Tsunami Forecastingk. Observation, Forecasting and Warning of Disaster Risks
Observation systems that can accurately detect disaster risks in real-time have been
progressively improved for establishing early warning systems, supporting early evacuation
and response activities, and thereby reducing disaster damage. Organizations involved indisaster reduction, especially the JMA, use 24-hour systems to carefully monitor various
natural phenomena and weather conditions. In addition to observed information the JMA
issues a wide range of forecasts, warnings and advisories.

l. Information and communication system for Issuing Evacuation Advisory
and Order
When a disaster occurs or is imminent, residents may start evacuating on their own volition,and the mayor of the municipality may also issue an evacuation advisory or order. It is effective
for municipalities to prepare a manual explaining the criteria regarding disaster situations that
require the issuance of evacuation advisories or orders, including under what situation and towhat area, thereby helping the mayor’s quick decision.
The Cabinet Office, with new disaster management information being released and lessons
from past disasters, has revised the “Guidelines for Producing a Decision and Dissemination
Manual for Evacuation Advisories and Orders” entirely in April 2013, and has requested thateach local government review and revise its criteria for issuing advisories or orders forevacuation.
Also, it has requested relevant prefectural and national entities to proactively give advice inthe efforts of municipalities making such revision.
The new guidelines place an emphasis on making it easy to understand the criteria for issuingadvisories or orders for evacuation, and urges municipalities to issue them early enoughwithout fear of resulting in unnecessary action.

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Efforts will be to support, in full cooperation with relevant entities, the municipalities tounderstand and recognize the purpose of this guideline and make progress in amending thecriteria for issuing evacuation advisories or orders.

Figure 47: Early Warning Communication System

m. Central Disaster Prevention Radio Network
The development of a quick and accurate communications system is essential for the effective
use of disaster early warning information. For this purpose, an online system has been built,
linking the JMA with disaster management organizations of the national and local governments
and media organizations.
Disaster management organizations have also been developing radio communications
networks exclusively for disasters: the CAO's Disaster Prevention Radio Communication
System, which connects national organizations; the Fire Disaster Management Radio
Communication System, which connects firefighting organizations across the country; andprefectural and municipal disaster management radio communications systems, whichconnect local disaster management organizations and residents.
The Cabinet Office has established the CAO's Disaster Prevention Radio Communication
System to link with designated government organizations, designated public corporations andprefectural governments, providing communications by telephone, fax, data transmission,
video conferencing and video transmission of disaster situations from helicopters and othersources.
Simultaneous wireless communications systems using outdoor loudspeakers and indoor radio
receivers are used to disseminate disaster information to residents. Tsunami and severe
weather warnings are widely provided to citizens via TV and radio broadcasts.

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Figure 48: Disaster Pretension communication system source – Cabinet office, Government of Japan

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Chapter III – Research Designa. Specific Aims

To identify current issues in the early warning system in Sri Lanka
To analyze the effectiveness of the established early warning system to face future
Tsunamis in the in Sri Lanka, in comparison with Japanese early warning systemb. Expected ResultsValidation of the effectiveness of the Tsunami early warning system in Sri Lanka
Comparison of the EW systems in Sri Lanka and Japan
Identification gaps in the current Early Warning System and remedial measures forfurther improvements.

3.1 Methodology
Data and information collected from the both countries. A survey data was gathered by using
a questionnaire method that is utilized to correct, analyze and interpret the views of a groupof people. All the information transfer in to the data which can be used. Data are analyzed byranking method. Primary data were converted to the secondary data. Data collection method
and category of data represent in the 3.2 and 3.3 in this report.
Finally, the conclusion and recommendation could be forwarded through SWOT analysis
techniques.

3.2 Data Collection



















Information and data of the current Tsunami early warning system in Sri Lanka.
Collect the information and data of the Tsunami early warning system in Japan.
Shearing of Practical experience.
Presentations and discussions in the ADRC VR 2016B in Japan.
Review of Literatures delivered by Universities in japan with lesson learn.
Site visit in tsunami and earthquake areas in the Japan.
Hyogo prefecture Disaster Management Centre and Hyogo police
Exhibitions / Museums and other relevant sources.
Web sites.
Japan Meteorological Agency (National Government)
Tsunami Storm Surge Prevention Station, Osaka (Local Government)
Disaster Science and Education Research Center, Wakayama University (Academia)
Tsunami Education Centers
DRI museum and other observation
Meeting with relevant stakeholders and communities.
2011 Tsunami Site visit and ccurrent preparedness and mitigation activities in Japan
ADRC VR program field visits.
Questioner survey

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3.2.1 Category of Data collected for evaluation, both Japan and Sri Lanka
I.

General Information
Land size
Population density
Gini co- efficient
Human development index. (HID)
Political intervention
CulturalLanguageType of messages

II.

New Technologies for Early Warning (satellite etc.)
Availability of very high sophisticated (Satellite etc) early warning methods
Public response for new technological early warning
Operational arrangement of new early warning system
Reliability of new early warning systems
Maintenance and upgrades

III.

Conventional Methods for Early Warning (Drum, bells, flags, etc.)
Available conventional communication methods
Public response for conventional early warning
Operational arrangement of conventional early warning system
Reliability of conventional warning systems
Maintenance and upgrades

IV.

Social media and electronic media (blog, bulletin board, Facebook, twitter, etc.)
for Early warning
Contribution of electronic media for early warning
Contribution of social media for early warning

V.

Other Network for Early Warning (Self-defense, Military & police etc.)
Contribution of other network for early warning

VI.

Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment
Voice testing (Live testing)Communication testingVII.

Different Administrative levels of Warning Dissemination
National level
Subnational level
Community level

VIII.

Timing for Tsunami Early Warning (Alert, Warning, Evacuation, Stand down)
Satisfaction of delivery and reception of EW messages

IX.

Awareness of tsunami early warning system

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Public awareness on warning mechanism
X.

Effectiveness of Early Warning
Effectiveness of having early warning system and early warning

XI.

Cost and Benefit investment for EW systems
Investment of early warning system

3.3 Data Evaluation Method
Data were analyzed by ranking analyzing method. Rank were arrayed from Zero to ten (0 –10). Zero (0) = Dissatisfied, 10 (ten) = 100% Satisfied, 5 (five) = Average of Satisfaction.
Bellow five (5) = Bellow average (need to be improved). Above five (5) = More than average
but there are gaps to be fulfilled. In the other hand, it does imply the value from Zero (0) to ten(10) is equal to the 0% to 100%.
Data will be analyzed by the descriptive statistics method such as Mean, Median, Mode,
Range, Standard deviation etc.
All relevant data will be compared by qualitatively and quantitatively.
Percentage is used to describe the data proposition of the sample.
In order to present the data, Pie charts, bar charts tables will be used.
Analyzed the Gaps and consequences through SWOT.

3.4 Limitation of the Research
1. Time: Three months’ period is not enough to gather the data with other works.
2. Field observation: Inadequate discussions has had with affected communities andrelevant officers.
3. Literature review: Lack of available research on the early warning system.
4. Analysis: Simple analysis method has been used to discuss the result.
5. Inadequate questioner survey in the Japan in each prefecture.

Chapter IV – Result and Discussion

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Data were evaluated under the main section of Early Warning and Dissemination in thedisaster management field. Result and discussion would be based on the questioner survey.
Early Warning and Dissemination has further categorized into 11 sub field and it is indicatedin the questioner thus giving more elaboration of the Early Warning field. In order to analyzed
the relevant data, it has to be divided to many sub areas. All the collected data weresummarized and averaged. Averaged data were representing as percentage except thegeneral information such as land size, population density and HDI. Both Japan and Sri Lankan
data were displayed in the following tables with the detail discussion.

4.1 Evaluation of General Information to Early Warning
No Activity

Japan

1

Land size

378

Sri
Lanka
65

Description

2

Population density

336

325

3

Gini co- efficient

25-30

40-45

4

Human development
index. (HID)

20(0.89)

73(0.75)

5

Political intervention on
EW

10 %

30 %

6

Cultural impact on EW

05 %

40 %

Sri Lanaka has multi-culture

7

Language barrier for EW

10 %

60 %

8

Number of EW
messages issue for an
incident.

90 %

70 %

SL is multinational country. Many
language have been using in Sri
Lanaka specially Sinhala ,Tamiland English.
SL issue only four numbers of
EW message for one incident butjapan issue more number ofdifferent EW messages to thecommunity for tsunami.

(000) Japan is 06 time bigger
than Sri Lanka. Cost line lengthof Japan 29751 Km and SL is1340(Sq km) Density is almost same.
But Japan has high Population
distribution in coastal area due to
70% land belong to mountainousand forest while SL is 30%
Inequality of income or wealth ishigher in the SL.
Life expectancy, Education andper capita income are high injapan it is rank no. 20.
Sri Lanka has a more politicalintervention than japan.

Table 7: Evaluation of General Information to Early Warning

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Comparisum of General Facters
378

400

336

350

325

Numbers

300
250
200
150

100

73

65
25

50

40

20

0
Land size (000) Sq km

Population density sqkmGini co- efficient

Human development
index. (HID) world no.

Different General impact areas to early warning.
Japan

Sri Lanka

Figure 49: Comparison chart of General factors

Impact persentage

Impact of General Information to Early Warning
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

90%
70%
60%
40%
30%
10%

5%

10%

Political intervention on Cultural impact on EW Language barrier for EW
Number of EW
EW
messages issue for an
incident.

Different General Impact areas to Early WarningJapan

Sri Lanka

Figure 50: Comparison of impact - chart

Japan is 06 time bigger than Sri Lanka. Cost line length of the Japan is 29751 Km while Sri
Lanka cost line is 1340 km. It is 22 times bigger than the Sri Lankan coast line. Density of theboth countries are almost same. But Japan has high Population distribution in coastal area
due to 70% land belong to mountainous and forest while Sri Lanka has 30% mountains andforest. The factors which are high coast line population and long length of the coast line of the
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Japan would created the disadvantage for tsunami early warning. There is a high potential ofchance to missing the early warning of entire vulnerable costal belt by tower failure. That will
be affect more peoples in the vulnerable area due to high density of population in the costal
belt. However, these facts can be ignoring with the available warning systems. Inequality ofincome is high in Sri Lanka. Life expectancy, Education and per capita income are high injapan it is rank no.20. The low wealth also effects to the receive the warning due tounavailability of radios, television, mobile phones and internet facilities to some vulnerable
communities in Sri Lanka. Political intervention to the early warning dissemination in Sri Lanka
is bit higher than the japan. It is also effect to consume the timing and delay the warning
dissemination. Sri Lanka is multinational country therefore it has multi-culture. Many
languages have been using in Sri Lanka specially Sinhala, Tamil and English. Sri Lanka has
to pass the messages based on the culture and language in order to control the panic situation.
For instance, east and the north of the country are majority of Tamils and the moor. Becauseof that disseminate the messages by Tamil languages is more effective. Also Sri Lanka is
tourist country. All the costal belt is enriched with foreigners. Therefore, it is very important topass the messages by English language too.

Figure 51: Japan and Sri Lankan costal belts.

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4.2 Use of New Technologies for Early Warning
No

ActivityI.

Available newtechnological early
warning methods

II.

90
Public response for
new technological early
warning

80

III.

Operationalarrangement of new
early warning system

95

70

IV. Reliability of new early
warning systems

80

60

V.

90

80

Maintenance andupgrades

Japan
%
90

Sri Lanka%
60

Description
Japan has more systems withsatellite. But SL has only few
system early warning towers,
no satellite.
Japan is highly depending on
this new system thus available
in everywhere. SL also highly
depend but systems are notcommon.
Japan has fully automaticallywarning system. But SL depend
initial data and information
getting from regional countries.
Though it is reliable in bothcountries, SL don’t havesystem. Tsunami rare in SL
than Japan.
Japan has technology, skill and,knowledge. SL has to hire theall. Big issue to SL.

Table 8: Use of New Technologies for Early Warning

Impact persentage

Use of New Technologies for Early Warning

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

90%

95%

90%

90%

80%

80%

80%

70%
60%

60%

Available new Public response forOperational
Reliability of new Maintenance andtechnological early new technological arrangement ofearly warning
upgradeswarning methods
early warning new early warning
systems
systemDifferent impact of New technological EW Methods
Japan

Sri Lanka

Linear (Japan)

Linear (Sri Lanka)

Figure 52: Comparison chart of use new technology for EW

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Japan has early warning systems based on the satellite operation. They have own satellite
which is J-Alert. But Sri Lanka does not have any satellite. A few systems have operated bysatellite technology which are early warning towers and Thuraya satellite communication.
Japan is highly depending on these new technological early warning systems. Those systems
are allocated to where it is vulnerable locations in the country. Japan has fully automatic
warning system. Peoples in the Japan are highly response to the new technological warning
systems like early warning towers. Sri Lanka also highly depend on the new technologicalearly warning system but systems are not commonly available in the country. Only 77 early
warning towers are available in costal belt in the country. Also Sri Lanka is being dependingon the initial data and information which are forwarding by regional countries specially India,
Indonesia and Australia. Though these new technological systems are reliable in bothcountries, Sri Lanka don’t have proper maintenance mechanism due to unavailability of suchtechnological expertise in the country. This is big issue of Sri Lanka. Japan has their own
technology, skill and, knowledge. However, the Tsunami is very rare in Si Lanka than Japan.
In the past decade the only one tsunami has recorded in Sri Lanka while having more tsunami
in Japan.

4.3 Use of Conventional Communication Methods for Early Warning (CCM)
No

Activity

Japan %I.

Available conventional
communication
methods
Public response forconventional early
warning

Public responsibility
for conventional early
warning
IV. Reliability of
conventional warning
systems
V. Maintenance andupgrades

II.

III.

Description

05

Sri
Lanka %
40

10

40

05

60

10

30

SL has high respond but it isdepending on person to person
and other factors also. eg.
environment and location etc.
This system has depend on thenational system and information
receiving system.
Most popular in rural area in SL.
But very low reliability in bothcountries.

8060

SL has mostly depend on CCM
due to lack of new systems
while japan has very few.

Japan has proper maintenancemechanism if the systems areexist.

Table 9: Use of Conventional Communication Methods for Early Warning (CCM)

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Impact persantage

C O M PA R I S I O N O F C O N V E N T I O N A L E A R LY WA R N I N GMETHODS.
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

5000%

1000%
40%

40%

Available
conventional
communication
methods
Japan

5%

60%

80% 60%

10% 30%Public response for
PublicReliability of
conventional early responsibility forconventional
warning
conventional early warning systems
warning

Maintenance andupgradesDifferent impact of Conventional EW Methods

Sri Lanka

Figure 53: Comparison chart of Conventional EW

Sri Lanka has mostly depended on Conventional Communication Methods due to lack of newtechnological systems. Sri Lanka has been highly responded to these conventional
communication systems but it is depending on person to person and also the other factors
which are environment, location, number of system available, kind and type of thecommunication system etc. This system also has depended on the national system because
they cannot predict the tsunami. Therefore, they have to be alert on the national warning andinformation receiving system. If there is a gaps or failure in national system, entire
conventional communicational system has failed. Due to low cost of operation andmaintenance this CCM is very much popular in rural area in Sri Lanka. Japan has a very few
systems are operations such as megaphone and public address systems. Japan has proper
maintenance mechanism if the systems are existing. But it is very low reliability in bothcountries.

4.4 Utilization of social media and electronic media for Early warning
No

Activity

Japan %I.

Contribution ofelectronic media forearly warning
Contribution of social
media for early
warning50

SriLanka %
30

30

20

II.

Description
Japan has separate media
channel for EW. SL has dependon Pvt and Govt channels.
Both countries predominantly
using but SL has not propermechanism to use for EW.

Table 10: Utilization of social media and electronic media for Early warning

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Social media and electronic media for Early warning
60%
50%

Impact Percentage

50%
40%
30%

30%

30%
20%
20%
10%
0%
Contribution of electronic media for Contribution of social media forearly warning
early warningJapan

Sri Lanka

Figure 54: Comparison chart of social and electronic media for EWJapan has separate media channel for early warning and they can operate independently. Sri
Lanka has depended on privet and government broadcasting and telecasting channels andthose are not working at 24 hours’ basis. Both countries predominantly using but Sri Lanka
has not proper mechanism to use this media during night time. Face book, twitter, WhatsApp,
Skype, messenger, viber and other social media are being used by the both countries. But inthe night no one has responded to getting warning from social media.

4.5 Use of Other Network for Early Warning (Military & police etc.)
No

Activity

Japan %I.

Contribution of othernetwork for early
warning10

SriLanka %
40

Description
Japan use own system while SL
more utilized other com
systems such as Military, Police
etc.

Table 11: Use of Other Network for Early Warning (Military & police etc.)

Japan use their own communication system while Sri Lanka has been more utilized the othercommunication systems such as Military, Police, fire brigade, coast guard, railway etc. This isvery reliable when the main system has fail the other alternative system has existed. Also
peoples more confidence when it is coming more communication channels.

4.6 Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment
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No

Activity

Japan %

I.

Voice testing (Livetesting)
Communication testing80

SriLanka %
50

80

70

Public awareness onrehearsals.

90

60

II.
III.

Description
Japan frequently testing. SL
has not satisfactory level.
Both countries are above
average level.
SL peoples are always panic.

Table 12: Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment

IMPACT PERSENTAGE

90%
60%

70%

80%
50%

80%

RE HEA RSA LS, T EST I NG O F EA RLY WA RNI NG EQ UI PME NTVOICE TESTING (LIVETESTING)Japan

Sri Lanka

COMMUNICATIONTESTING

PUBLIC AWARENESS ONREHEARSALS.

DIFFERENT IMPACT OF CONVENTIONAL EW METHODS

Figure 55: Comparison chart of Rehearsals, testing of EW equipment

Japan has frequently testing of their communication systems by full strength. But Sri Lanka
has not operated the system frequently in the full strength. Sri Lanka is being used poll testing
method to test the early warning towers in order to prevent the panic. But it does not imply
the workability of the voice dissemination of the warning towers. Both countries are being
displayed the above average level in the testing of communication systems.

4.7 Responsibility of Different Administrative levels for Warning Dissemination
No

Activity

Japan %I.

National level

10

SriLanka %
80

II.

Subnational level

95

82

Description
SL has higher responsibility to
EW at any time.
Prefecture level has very highresponsibility while districts of

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III.

Community level0530

SL also has almost same
responsibility.
SL communities have highresponsibility due to inadequate
EW equipment. But japan has
national EW system to cater all
the vulnerable areas.

Table 13: Responsibility of Different Administrative levels for Warning Dissemination

Persentage of contribution to EW

Early Warning Dissemination of different Administrative
levels.
95%

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

82%

80%

30%
10%

5%

National level

Subnational level

Community level

Different Administrative Levels of EW dissiminationJapan

Sri Lanka

Linear (Japan)

Linear (Sri Lanka)

Figure 56: Comparison chart of different administrative levels of EW

Sri Lanka national government has higher responsibility to early warning dissemination at any
time. Districts of Sri Lanka also has same responsibility to pass the message to the districtlevel and community level. Sri Lankan village level communities have high responsibility todisseminate the early warning among their communities due to inadequate technological early
warning equipment. Japan has each prefectures level early warning system to cater all thevulnerable areas in the country. But japan don’t have any responsibilities to warn the people
nationally. If Prefecture could not able to disseminate the national government pass themessages immediately through the broadcasting, telecasting and by using othercommunication techniques.

4.8 Evaluation of communication in the Tsunami Early Warning
No

Activity

Japan %

I.

Satisfaction of EW
messages delivery

95

SriLanka %
80

Description
SL also satisfied if themessages received on time.

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II

III.

Satisfaction ofreception of EW
messages
Identification oftsunami disasters.

90

70

95

50

Japan direct delivery andreceived. But SL has different
integrated system.
Japan has technical body. SL
has mostly depend on
International body. Japan
Peoples can feel theearthquake. But SL isn’t it.

Table 14: Evaluation of communication in the Tsunami Early Warning

Identification, dissemination and reception of
Tsunami Early Warning
95%

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

95%

90%
80%
70%

50%

Identification of tsunami
disasters.
Japan

Sri Lanka

Satisfaction of EW messages Satisfaction of reception of EW
deliverymessages

Different satisfactory leveles of communication

Figure 57: Comparison chart of Identification, dissemination and reception of EW

Most of the time Japan Peoples can feel the earthquake. They have their own sign for tsunami
disaster, the people can take the decision to move to safe location. Japan has direct delivery
and receiving early warning mechanism without depend other nation. Japan has high technicalbody to analyze the situation. Sri Lanka also satisfied if the messages received on time but
Sri Lanka has to be depend on the International body to get the tsunami warning. However,Sri Lanka has integrated early warning system pass the message as soon as possible to thevulnerable communities.

4.9 Awareness of tsunami early warning system
No

Activity

Japan %

I.

Public awareness on
warning mechanism

90

Sri
Lanka %
50

Description
Japan has good awarenessamong the public. Awarenesshas to be improved in SL.

Table 15: Awareness of tsunami early warning system

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Japan has an excellent awareness system among the public sector. Japan had several
tsunamis in the past decade. This experiences also convenience to peoples in alert to thetsunami awareness. Therefore, most of the peoples know the tsunami. However, if the peoples
know tsunami, they could not have about where to go, what time to go, what to bring etc.
Especially they don’t know about transportation arrangement. Therefore, all the peoples arecome with their vehicles. That would be major issue in the japan. The japan warning system
has not yet concern about this issues. Sri Lanka has to improve the public awareness on early
warning mechanism with the all the communities. Only the coastal communities know thetsunami warning system. But the other communities should have also known the warning
system in order to prevent the impact from tsunami disasters.

4.10 Effectiveness of Early Warning System
No

Activity

Japan %

Description

96

Sri
Lanka %
95

I.

Effectiveness of having
early warning system.

II

Effectiveness of early
warning95

87

Effectiveness of the EW dependon the Quality of messages andthe warning received by public.

Both countries high priorities.

Table 16: Effectiveness of Early Warning System

Both countries have given higher priorities on early warning systems to save the lives andproperties. Effectiveness of the early warning system depend on the Quality of messages andthe warning received by public. More tsunamis have to be happened in order to analyze theeffectiveness of the warning system. If there is no tsunami effectiveness also zero. Therefore,
Japan has high effectiveness why it is operated in 2011 tsunami successfully. But in Sri Lanka
do not have any tsunami after the establishment of tsunami towers simply after 2004.

4.11 Analysis of Cost and Benefit investment for EW Systems
No

Activity

Japan %I

Investment of early
warning system

98

SriLanka %
70

II

Satisfaction of
investment to the early
warning system

95

74

Description
Comparatively SL also spend
more money on EW.
Japan has high vulnerability totsunami. But SL has only one
experience. Based on thefrequency of tsunami
occurrence, Investment should
be focused on Multi hazards
warning system.

Table 17: Analysis of Cost and Benefit investment for EW Systems

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Effectiveness of Early Warning System
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

96% 95%90%

95% 97%

98%

95%
70%

74%

50%

Public awareness Effectiveness of Effectiveness of
on warning
having early
early warning
mechanism
warning system
Japan
SriLanaka
Linear(Japan)

Investment ofSatisfaction ofearly warninginvestment tosystemthe early warning
systemFigure 58: Comparison chart of effectiveness of EW

Comparatively Sri Lanka also invested more than the return of investment to the tsunami early
warning system. But Sri Lanka has only one experience in 2004 tsunami. Bu Japan has highvulnerability to tsunami. Based on the frequency of tsunami occurrence, Investment has
focused on Multi hazards angle. Therefore, it can be used to any impending disasters.

a. Available and usability of the Early Warning Methods
The following table has described the technological and conventional early warning systems
that are used in the world and also it is display the magnitude of use in Japan and Sri Lanka.

No

Communication
SystemJapan

Sri Lanka

Land line telephones /CDMA
Early Warning Towers

Common use

Common use

Commonly using forevery disasters
Common use

77 towers only. Use fortsunami and cyclone.
Tower operation and veryrare use forcommunication.
Use for selected costumes.
Cannot operate all the
networks.
Fairly use but do not haveconfidence.
Moderate use.

Satellites

SMS

Always using for public
at any network.

Cell Broadcast

No in use

VHF/HF Radio

Common use

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Mobile Network

Common use

Television channels

24 hours channels

Radio channels

Press media
Fax

24 hours channels andseparate channels areavailable.
Not enough time
Ordinary use

EmailInternet

Always using.
Common use

By Vehicles –Announcements

Fire brigade, police
vehicles and helicopters
are used.
Not much involved
Commonly fixed systems
are being used.
Very common
Not useCommon use
Not useNot use.
Not useNGOs and CBOs
PA Systems
Mega phones.
Hand Sirens
Electric Sirens
Temple and church bells
Mosque PA system
Riders/ Push Bicycle &Motor
Early Warning
Committees (Door to
Door)
Flags and different
colour cords.
Other institutional
communication systems

Mouth to mouth.

Not prominent. No
mechanism.
Rare use
Japan has dedicated line
to communication.
Therefore, not depend onother communication.
Very rare

Common use. But in thedisaster, network systemjammed.
No 24 hours channel.
During night time have to
inform to start the telecast.
No 24 hours’ channel.
During night time have to
inform to start the telecast
Not enough time
Only 15 minutes can use
after that system jammed.
Selected personal only
Messages Upload but notcommon use.
No helicopters used,
police, military vehicles.
High involved.
Always used. Mobile Pa
systems also use.
Very common.
Ordinary use.
A very few use.
Common use.
Common use
Ordinary use.
Committees are available.
In the disasters cannot
find the committee.
Ordinary use
SL always depend onother communication
system such as military,
police, fire brigade etc.
Higher relationship among
the communities. Most
common practices.

Table 18: Available and usability of the Early Warning Methods

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b. SWOT analysis
SWOT technique uses for analyze the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of theearly warning mechanism in the japan and Sri Lanka.

Strengths

Weakness,

Opportunities

Threats

Figure 59: SWOT windows

The following table has displayed the comparison and different values of early warningperspective of view such as information dissemination, reception, operation, other indirect
impact of warning etc. between two countries and within the country. This table results also
link with theNo

Information effect to EW
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Land size of the country
Costal Population density
Gini co- efficient
Human development index. (HID)
Political intervention for EW
Cultural impact for EW
Language impact for EW
Use of different Type of messages to EW
Availability of very high sophisticated(Satellite etc) early warning methods
Public response for new technologicalearly warning
Operational arrangement of new early
warning system
Reliability of new early warning systems
Maintenance and upgrades
Available conventional communication
methods
Public response for conventional early
warning
Operational arrangement of conventional
early warning system
Reliability of conventional warning
systems
Contribution of electronic media for early
warningJapan
Weakness

Sri Lanka
Weakness

Threats
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
WeaknessStrength

Opportunity
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Threats
Strength
Strength

Opportunity

Opportunity

Strength

Strength

Strength
Opportunity
Weakness

Weakness
WeaknessStrength

Weakness

Opportunity

Weakness

Weakness

Weakness

Opportunity

Opportunity

Opportunity

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19. Contribution of social media for early
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

warning
Contribution of other network for early
warning
Voice testing (Live testing)Communication testing (poll test)
National level EW
Subnational level EW
Community level EW
Satisfaction of delivery and reception of
EW messages
Public awareness on warning mechanism
Effectiveness of having early warning
system and early warning
Investment of early warning system

Opportunity

Opportunity

Opportunity

Strength

Strength
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Weakness
Opportunity

Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Strength
Opportunity
Opportunities

Opportunity
Strength

Opportunity
Strength

Strength

Strength

Table 19: SWOT comparison table

Considering the above table, all the weakness has to be strengthened, all the opportunities
has to be changed to strength, all the threats has to be avoided or should be strength the otherappropriate action to prevent the effect of threats and all the strengths has to be kept as it isor strength can be made more strength as shown in the bellow chart.

Strengths

Weakness,

Opportunities

Threats

Figure 60: SWOT impact windows

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Chapter V – Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusion
A complete and effective early warning system comprises of four elementsi.)

Identification of Disaster Risk, Sign and Threats

A complete early warning system should have a system to identify the impending disaster risk,sing and threats independently.
ii.)

Timely Disseminate and Reception of Messages.

Identified disaster risk, sign and threats has to process to the valuable message and thatmessage should have to disseminate timely and it should be verified the reception of relevant
communities in the appropriate mechanism.
iii.)

Efficiency of the Warning Mechanism

Efficiency of the early warning messages has depended on the time of dissemination andreception, accuracy of the message, short and clarity, community perception and acceptanceand community respond.
iv.)

Effectiveness of the system

The effectiveness of the system would be depended on number of disaster occurrence,
availability of the system and reliability of the system.
The Early Warning Systems plays a major role in saving human lives and reduce economic
losses caused due to natural disasters such as tsunami, earthquakes, floods, landslides, andother events. And it gives time for people living on risk areas to escape to higher ground,protecting themselves from falling objects and stopping trains before they are overtaken bythese events. But it’s important to start early warning systems in sustainable way for them tohave a positive effect on the community on the long run.
Conduct communication drills with communities, governments, and experts should exchange
information and ideas about potential risks. Communities should be able to understand theinformation delivered in the warning, while also being aware of the system’s limitations.
Link with community-based activities, warning systems and other measures organized bycommunities may be particularly relevant in developing countries where government capacity
and resources are limited. Start with low-cost systems: Start Warning systems with simple
methods. Low-cost equipment, such as fire bells and sirens can be used. Also, government
staff must understand communities’ response to disasters to design warning systems.
Understand the limitations of technology: Although various technologies, such as tsunami
simulations, communication systems, and earthquake monitoring are all needed to develop
effective warning systems, their limitations must be taken into account.
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Guidelines for quick decision making, disaster related organizations and government agencies
should have a user manual or SOP for quick decision making. explaining when to disseminate
the evacuation orders.
Understand communities, coping mechanisms, since warning systems are meant to benefit
communities on the ground and to inform their actions, the responsible organizations should
understand how local people cope with and respond to disasters. Community members decideon their own when, where, and how to escape. The organizations should tailor the contents ofwarning messages to the users’ needs and points of view. Such messages need to be simple,
timely, and encourage evacuation.
Establish uninterrupted systems, to ensure that warnings reach the communities at risk.
Multiple communication channels should be established so that information keeps flowing incase of power and communication failures. (e.g.: SMS, loudspeakers, sirens. etc.)
Ensure services are available 24/7: Since natural events can happen at any time, theorganizations concerned are required to function around the clock—24 hours a day, 7 days aweek. Staff duty rotation should be arranged in the organizations.
With considering above four elements of the early warning system, the Japan has consisted
all the four pillars. The japan has not depend on the other countries. But there are some gaps
and constrain of the above mentioned four pillars and japan has to take adequate action to
fulfilled the above given gaps and constrains.
With considering japan, Sri Lanka has many more gaps and constrains in the Early warning
system even the above four elements have not fulfilled by the system. Identification of tsunami
disaster, Sri Lanka is being depended on the regional and international technical agencies.
There is no any independent technical system to issue the tsunami warning due to inadequate
technology and money.

5.2 Recommendations
1. To make complete and effective early warning system should be inter-related withmany elements, knowledge of hazards and vulnerabilities, education and training forpeople at risk, dissemination strategies and reception strategies as well as
preparedness capacity to respond.
2. Responsibilities need to be clearly defined and people need to be well-informed andfeel a degree of ownership of the implementation process. Much depends on
establishing institutional capacities to ensure that early warning systems are wellintegrated into governmental policy and decision-making process. Focusing on early
warning systems itself - show how communities can be involved in this process or how
they can initiate the establishment of an early warning system at local level inconnection with those at national, regional and international levels.
3. People-centered early warning systems is to be empowered individuals andcommunities exposed to hazards to act in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner

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to reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property and theenvironment.
4. Stakeholders comprising both information suppliers and information receivers should
be made educated on all key elements of the end-to-end system and the relevant
SOPs and communications which have to be complied.
5. Early Warning is the uttermost important thing. It has to be validated periodically.

a. Recommendations for Japan
1. Japan has to be developed a traffic plan and it should be integrated with the early
warning system to ensure the evacuation of the vulnerable communities to avoid thetraffic jam in high dense populated costal area.
2. When the earth quake magnitude is more than 07, the peoples in the 01 kilometer fromthe beach should be evacuated to the safer location with their vehicles within 05 – 10
minutes and if they unable to evacuate within given time, aware the people to evacuate
without vehicles in order to avoid traffic jam.
3. The Japan has to enhanced the awareness of the early warning systems, channels,
mechanisms and type and kind of early warning massagers which are going to be send
the communities.
4. Japan is being disseminated several messages to general public and vulnerable
communities. But each and every people could not be taken appropriate decision. In
order to reduce this panic situation before the relevant time, Japan has to reduce thenumber of advisory, alert, warning messages. People do not need earthquake
messages, magnitude, epicenter, etc. when consider the tsunami. Japan has toemphasized to the communities on evacuation message as soon as possible due tolimited time for tsunamis.
5. Japan has to be improved the conventional communication system to response evenduring the night time. Early warning towers and other system could not be explained
the evacuation locations and further additional details, in such situation conventional
mechanism are important to guide the people until reach to safe locations. Therefore,
Megaphone, public address systems etc, has to be ready in appropriate locations.
6. Japan has more than 60 % elderly peoples. They are taken more than 15 minutes toevacuate to the safe location by foot. Most of elderly and different abled people will die
due to tsunami while they are moving to safe location and lack of awareness on early
warning. In order to prevent such situation, Evacuation messages has to disseminatedas soon as possible.
7. Japan has ordinary used Japanese language to warn the communities but japan has
to take keen attention about foreign delegates who are working and living in the japan.
Therefore, japan has to provided warning message at least English language even if
they can provide message like “Tsunami, Tsunami, please Evacuate, Evacuate”. The
people will response to that Message.

b. Recommendations for Sri Lanka
1. Sri Lanka has to build the dedicated communication system with the regional warning
centers between the national tsunami warning center to avoid the communicationinterruption. Sri Lankan peoples could not get the earthquake feeling where Sri Lanka is
not locating in the earthquake fault or Ring of fire.
2. Sri Lanka has cultural and social impacts for early warning specially language and givingnight time evacuation order. The women cannot be seen in the night around 7pm due totransport barriers, less security, culture itself refuse to see the women in the night,
dependence are not allowed etc, therefor Sri Lanka has to do the tsunami drill in the nighttime by using early warning system to avoid the such situation. Only the early warning
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towers has provided messages by three languages. But each and every warning
messages has to be disseminate by “Sinhala, Tamil, English” language in order to preventthe language barriers in Sri Lanka and thus each administrative levels have to be kept inready the prerecorded warning messages to disseminate at the disasters.
3. Sri Lanka has been struggling with new technology involvement after established with theearly warning system in 2009. Sri Lanka has to hired the technology from the original
suppliers and it has to upgrade by time to time expending high cost. It is highly
recommending to integrate with local technologies which can be sustained and effective
by corporate with technical institutes.
4. The Sri Lanka has a well-established early warning system. Though it is well established,
there is no any dedicated channel to conform the dissemination and reception of themessage. Sri Lanka is being utilized many other channels which are military, police, etc.
to overcome the current gap of early warning system. It is recommended to arrange a
dedicated line with several locations to get the feedback of early warning messages.
5. After the great 2004 tsunami the word “TSUNAMI” is famous in the country. But science,
aptitude of the hazard and many other response activates are not known by many othercommunities in the middle part of the country. Awareness on tsunami has to be provided
and enhanced to the communities in order to save the life from future tsunamis.

5.3 Common recommendation to the world on early warning
mechanism
1. In the past decade most of the peoples in the world has died by tsunamis due to lackof tsunami early warning system without concerning region, country, race, religion
or any other factors. Most of countries they don’t have enough money to cover theentire area by warning systems. Some systems are very expensive. Some countries are
doing business and earn large profit by selling early warning system. Most of thecountries are struggled with the technologies. Therefore, it is recommended to
identified and established a common early warning system(One system) for all
countries such as digital HF communication system or satellite base communication
system etc. to overcome the early warning issues in the world and save the lives formtsunamis.
2. There are many warning systems exist in the word at the present. Many sirens, many
colour codes are been using for communicate the warning information to the public.
Therefore, it is recommended to standardized the sound that can be utilized as aCommon sound for disasters such as ambulance sound. That common sound will
help to identified the disasters in anywhere in the world and it can be integrated tomobile phones, radios, early warning towers, emergency response vehicles evenduring night time and also SMS alert for elderly people, foreigners.
3. Create awareness among the communities to “improve their ability to judge thedisasters” take appropriate action like “Kamaishi Higashi Junior High School” injapan 2011 tsunami respond.

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Chapter VI – Abbreviations & Reference
6.1 Acronyms and Abbreviations
ADRC
AEA
AMPS
BOKUMI
CAO
CAP
CB
CBO
CCCRMD
CDMA
CEA
CEB
DDMCU
DEWN
DM
DM Act
DMC
DMP
DoM
DRM
DRR
EEWs
EOC
EOC
EPOS
EW
EW
FDMA
FM
GETET
GMDSS
GN

Asian Disaster Reduction Center
Atomic Energy Authority
Analog
Kobe City Volunteers for Disaster Management
Cabinet Office
Common Alerting Protocol
Cell Broadcasting
Community Based Organization
Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management Department
Code Division Multiple AccessCentral Environmental Authority
Ceylon Electricity Board
District DM Coordinating Unit
Disaster Emergency Warning Network
Disaster Management
Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005
Disaster Management Centre
Disaster Management Plan
Department of Meteorology
Disaster Risk Management
Disaster Risk Reduction
Earthquake Early Warnings
Emergency Operation Centre
Emergency Operation System
Earthquake Phenomena Observation System
Early Warning
Early Warning
Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Frequency Modulation
Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Global Maritime Disaster and Safety System
Grama Niladari (Final government administrative officer in the village )

GSM
GSMB
HF
HID
ID

Global System for Mobile communication
Geological Survey & Mines Bureau
High Frequency
Human Development Index
Irrigation Department
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IGN
INGO
JMA
LAs
M
MASL
MDM
MEPA
MLIT
MoH
NACWC
NARA
NBRO
NCDM
NDMC
NDMCC
NDMP
NDRSC
NEOP
NGO
NIDiP
NIED
NIT
NWC
NWSDB
PA
S&R
SISCO
SL
SLAF
SOPs
TAC
TWS
USGS
VHF
VPN
VR

Intra Government Network
International Non-Governmental Organization
Japanese Meteorological Agency
Local Authorities
Meter
Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka
Ministry of Disaster Management
Marine Environment Protection Authority
Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism
Ministry of HealthNational Agency for Chemical wephone conventional
National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency
National Building Research Organization
National Council for Disaster Management
National Disaster Management Centre
National Disaster Management Coordination Committee
National Disaster Management Plan
National Disaster Relief Services Centre
National Emergency Operation Plan
Non-Governmental Organization
Information Network for Disaster Prevention
National Research Institute for Earth Science
Nippon Telegraph and telephone company
National Warning System
National Water Supply & Drainage Board
Public Address
Search and Rescue
Security Identification System Corporation
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Air Force
Standard Operating ProceduresTechnical Advisory Committee
Tsunami Warning System
US Geological Survey
Very High Frequency
Virtual Privet Network
Visiting Researcher

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6.2 Reference Web Sites
•
•
•
•
•
•

http://www.disastermin.gov.lk
http://www.dmc.gov.lk
http://www.meteo.gov.lk
http://www.treasury.gov.lk
http://www.adrc.asia/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preparedness

6.3 Reference Books and Other Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•

•
•
•

Disaster Management Act No 13 of 2005.
Disaster Management Policy of 2014.
National Disaster Management Plan. (2013-2017).
National Emergency Operation Plan 2016 -2020
Ministry of Disaster Management. (2014) Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster
Management Programme, (2014-2018), Government of Sri Lanka, March, 2014.
December 26, 2004: Asia - An earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale
triggered the Boxing Day tsunami that struck 10 Asian and two African countries,
killing almost 250,000 people. More than 170,000 of those who died were inIndonesia's Aceh province.
March 11, 2011: Japan - A series of tsunamis triggered by a massive 9-magnitude
earthquake leaves hundreds dead in Japan's north-east. The waves raced across the
Pacific, causing devastation as far away as California in the United States.

A3-brochure_earthquake_and_tsunami.pdf.(n.d.).Retrievedfrom
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/brochure_earthquake_and_tsunami.pdf
Brochure201203.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/brochure201203.pdf
How a tsunami works | How It Works Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2015,
from http://www.howitworksdaily.com/how-a-tsunami-works/japan and platonic
tectones - Google Search. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, fromhttps://www.google.co.jp/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=7K3zVPSuCpD-8wf5Japan in a subduction zone (1) -- GLGArcs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.glgarcs.net/intro/subduction.html
Japan - Japan.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.nidm.gov.in/easindia2014/err/pdf/country_profile/Japan.pdf
Leaflet Tsunami Warning (Japan) - tsunamiwarning-leaflet.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.data.jma.go.jp/svd/eqev/data/en/tsunami/tsunamiwarning-leaflet.pdf

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Attachment 01- Questioner
アジア防災センター客員研究員プログラム（2016 年度）
ADRC Visiting Research Program (VR2016)

津波早期警戒に関するアンケート（日本）Questionnaire on Tsunami Early Warning (Japan)
以下の質問について、あなたの日本の津波早期警戒に関する知識に基づいてご回答ください。
回答は、ゼロ（0）から十（10）のレベルでお答えください。（0）はそう思わない、（10）は非常にそう思う、（5）はその中間になります。5 未満は平均以下でまだ改善すべき点がある、6 以上は平均以上だがさらにより良くできる点があることを示します。
それぞれの質問に対して 1～10 のうちの数字をひとつ選んでお答えください。
いただいた回答は客員研究員プログラムの研究のみに利用します。また、回答は津波の早期警戒に関することについてお答えください。（その他災害は含まない。）
Please fill the following table based on your knowledge on Tsunami Early Warning in Japan.
Rank were arrayed from Zero to ten (0 – 10). Zero (0) = Dissatisfied, 10 (ten) = 100% Satisfied, 5(five) = Average of Satisfaction. Bellow five (5) = Bellow average (need to be improved).Above five(5) = More than average but there are gaps to be fulfilled. You can use any one number for one
question from I,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. (This values use for research purpose only.) This is only for
Tsunami Early Warning.
質問事項
Questions
一般事項
General Information
早期警戒情報に関する文化的な配慮が必要である。（ない場合は 10）
Consideration of cultural impact/ issues on early warning is necessary (there is no impact= 10)
早期警戒情報は日本語のみで発出されている。
Early warning is issued only by Japanese language.
4 種類の早期警戒情報がある。（注意報、警報、避難、警報解除）
There are four types of messages ( Alert, Warning, Evacuation, Stand down)
早期警戒のための新技術（衛星の利用等）
New Technologies for Early Warning (satellite etc.)
非常に高度で最新式の早期警戒システムが整備されている。
Very high sophisticated (Satellite etc.) early warning systems are available
新技術を利用した早期警戒システムに対する住民の反応が非常に高い。
Public response for new technological early warning systems are very high
早期警戒システムを運用する優れた仕組みがある。
There are excellent mechanism for operating the early warning system
新しい早期警戒システムに対する信頼性がとても高い。
Reliability of new early warning systems is very high
早期警戒システムのメンテナンスや性能向上がとても容易である。
Maintenance and upgrades of early warning system is very easy
伝統的な手法による早期警戒（半鐘、旗などを使った標識など）
Conventional Methods for Early Warning (bell, flag etc.)
伝統的な情報伝達法がある（とても一般的である）。
Conventional communication methods are available (very common)

Answers(Rank 0 – 10)

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伝統的な手法による早期警戒システムに対する住民の反応が非常に高い。
Public are very high response to the conventional early warning system
伝統的な手法による早期警戒システムに対するとても信頼できる運用システムが存在する。
There is a very high reliable operational arrangement exist for conventional early warning system
伝統的な手法による早期警報への信頼性がとても高い。
Reliability of conventional warning systems is very high
伝統的な早期警報手法に関して頻繁にメンテナンスや性能向上が行われている。
Frequently maintenance and upgrades of conventional early warning are doing
電子メディアやソーシャルメディア（ブログ、掲示板、Facebook、ツイッターなど）による早期警報
Electronic media and Social media (blog, bulletin board, Facebook, twitter, etc.) for early warning
電子メディアは早期警戒情報伝達に非常に大きく貢献している。
There is very high contribution of electronic media for early warning dissemination
ソーシャルメディアは早期警戒情報システムに非常に大きく貢献している。
There is very high contribution of social media for early warning systems
その他の早期警報ネットワーク（自衛隊、警察等）
Other Network for Early Warning (Self Defense Force & Police etc.)
自衛隊や警察等、その他のネットワークが早期警報に利用されている。（4 つ以上ある場
合を 10 とする）
There are many other networks are using for early warning (More than 04)
早期警報機器利用の演習や検査（新技術を利用した早期警戒システム）
Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment (for new technological EW system)
週に一回音声演習やテストが行われている。
Weekly voice testing (live testing)
週に一回情報伝達（データ通信）演習やテストが行われている。
Weekly communication testing
各行政レベルの情報伝達
Different Administrative levels of warning dissemination
国家レベルの早期警戒情報伝達システムがある。
There is a national level EW Dissemination system
自治体レベルの早期警戒情報システムがある。
There are many sub-national level EW systems
コミュニティレベルの早期警戒情報システムがある。
There are many community level EW systems
早期警戒情報（注意報、警報、避難情報、警報解除）の発出のタイミングについて
Timing for Tsunami Early Warning (Alert, Warning, Evacuation, Stand down)
早期警戒情報の発出のタイミング（とても早い 10、とても遅い 0）Satisfaction of delivery of EW messages (All levels)
早期警戒情報を受取るタイミング（とても早い 10、とても遅い 0）Satisfaction of reception of EW messages (All levels)
津波早期警戒システムに関する啓発
Awareness of tsunami early warning system
早期警戒システムについての住民啓発が提供されている。
Public awareness on early warning mechanism is provided
早期警戒情報の効果
Effectiveness of Early Warning
現在の早期警戒システムおよび早期警報はとても効果が高い
Current early warning system and early warning is very effective
早期警戒システムへの投資の費用対効果
Cost and benefit for the investment of EW systems
早期警戒システムへの現在の投資額について妥当だと思う。
I am satisfied with current amount for the Investment of early warning system
EW- Early Warning

年齢（Age）

20 才未満(20 or below) / 21-30/ 31-40/ 41-50/ 51-60/ 60 才以上(above 60)

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性別（Gender）
職業（Designation）

男（male）／女（Female）
会社員(office worker)／公務員(government officer)／自営業(self-employed)／
主婦(housewife)／学生(student)／無職(unemployed)／その他(others)

お忙しい中、ご協力大変ありがとうございました。
Thank you very much for your cooperation!
By J.M.A.R.Jayarathne (ジャヤラトネ)
ADRC Visiting Researcher（アジア防災センター客員研究員）

Attachment 02- Research Paper
Analysis of the Effectiveness of Early Warning System to Face Future Tsunamis in
Sri Lanka by comparing with Japanese Early warning system.
J.M.A.R. Jayarathne, Deputy Director, Emergency Operation, Disaster Management Center,
Ministry of Disaster Management, Sri Lanka, With ADRC Japan

Abstract
On December 26 2004, about 4/5 of the costal belt of Sri Lanka was affected by a Tsunami which occurred due
to an earthquake off west coast of north Sumatra Islands. The location of the epicentre of this earthquake was at
3.2N and 95.82E at a depth of 30 km below mean sea level. The quake that occurred at 6:58:53 Sri Lankan time
had a magnitude of 9.0 in Richter scale. Humans were confronted by an unprecedented catastrophe impacting the
lives of people not only in the Indian Ocean region but all over the world. The death toll is believed to be over
270,000 people with billions of dollars in damage cost. It is widely acknowledged that if effective Early Warning
System had been in place in the Indian Ocean region, thousands of people could have been saved. The present
Early Warning System has designed for communicate from national level to district / divisional /Grama Niladhari
levels.
The Early Warning towers, radio communication system, SMS and Cell broadcast system, fax, e-mail, intergovernment network, VPN line, social media are main sources of communication system already been establishedin the country. In addition to above communication system the police and military communication systems, media
and the land line telephone systems are utilised directly and indirectly for communication and coordination ofdisasters. Main initiatives were taken by the Disaster Management centre which was established after the Tsunami
in 2004. Over a decade, many systems and activities provided to enhance the Tsunami Early Warning System in
Sri Lanka. Two times tsunami evacuations (2007 & 2012) and one Tsunami warning (2011) were issued after the2004 up to now. A tsunami warning system (TWS) is used to warn coastal communities in advance and issue
warnings to prevent loss of life and property damages. Meteorological Department which is national warning cater(NWC) issue the warning and Disaster Management Centre is being disseminate those messages from national
level to local level.
The islands of Japan are located in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting intsunami, occur several times each century. The 1923 Tokyo earthquake killed over 140,000 people. More recent major
quakes are the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, a 9.0-magnitude quake which hit Japanon March 11, 2011, and triggered a large tsunami. Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is substantially prone
to earthquakes and tsunami, having the highest natural disaster risk in the developed world. Japan is a developed country

thus the Sri Lanka is developing country. However, save the people in the world from the disasters that should
not be the issue. Therefore, this study would be attempted to measure the effectiveness of the current systems ofboth countries and it will facilitate the future developments for the Tsunami early warning. The study was
identified the issues in both countries and forwarded the recommendations.

Introduction
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On December 26 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck the western
coast of Sumatra in Indonesia triggering massive ocean waves or “tsunamis”. Humans wereconfronted by an unprecedented catastrophe impacting the lives of people not only in the
Indian Ocean region but all over the world. The death toll is believed to be over 270,000 people
with billions of dollars in damage cost. Asian region and there was not any early warning
mechanism to save the people lives. Therefore, more than 35,000 people were died in Sri
Lanka. Because of that government establish the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) for
coordinate with other stakeholders to prevention, mitigation, preparedness, training & publicawareness and response in the impending disasters. One of the functions of the DMC has
identified as community early warning and dissemination through the early warning systems.
Therefore, DMC has been strengthening the early warning system by using various
technologies such as establishing of early warning towers, supply of distribution of sirens andpublic addressing systems, SMS and cell broadcast system, etc. But prior to beginning of allthese systems in Sri Lanka, there were traditional warning mechanism for various disasters.
At the present all traditional and new technological systems are integrated to get the maximum
benefit to the community early warning.
Mostly many developments and civilization is occurring in the coastal areas. Tourism industry
is booming in the coastal areas. Therefore, to save the coastal communities, there should bea timely and effective early warring mechanism from the national level to the village levels.
After the introduction of the early warning system around 10 years ago in Sri Lanka, it has notbeen validated. This research will facilitate to clarify the current issues and identify solutionsin the early warning system in Sri Lanka with compare to the Japan.

It is widely acknowledged that if effective early warning systems had been in place in the
Indian Ocean region, the death toll would have been drastically reduced While a relationshipbetween local, felt earthquakes and tsunamis was realized in ancient times in many societies,
it was much later in human history that it was realized that destructive tsunamis can propagate
great distances, far beyond the range of human perceptibility of the causative earthquake. The
present system of communication from national level to district / divisional / local authority /Grama Niladari levels or other specific identified locations is mainly through the Police andmilitary communication systems, radio communication, multi-hazard early warning towers,
media and the normal telephone systems. Alternative coastal wide communication systems
already been established for the Tsunami disaster. Main initiatives were taken by the Disaster
Management center which was established after the Tsunami in 2004.Over a decade, manysystems and activities provided to enhance the Tsunami Early Warning System in Sri Lanka.
2 Tsunami evacuations (2007 & 2012) and one Tsunami warning (2011) were issued after the2004 up to now. A tsunami warning system (TWS) is used to warn coastal communities inadvance and issue warnings to prevent loss of life and damages. Meteorological Department
issue the warning and Disaster Management Centre is catering all communications fromnational level to the local level but up to now No studies had conducted to evaluate the current
early warning system for the tsunami disaster.
It is essential to ensure capacity of the Early Warning system to save more than 2 million lives
along the coastal area of Sri Lanka. Gaps of disseminating and community reception at nighttime also been identified. But up to now there is no any studies had been conducted toevaluate the current early warning system for the tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka. It is essential
to ensure the capacity of the Early Warning system is sufficient to save the people who areliving along the coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is an archipelago
of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, which
together comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. With over 127 million

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people Japan has the world's tenth-largest population. They are primarily the result of large
oceanic movements occurring over hundreds of millions of years from the mid-Silurian to the
Pleistocene as a result of the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the continental
Amurian Plate and Okinawa Plate to the south, and subduction of the Pacific Plate under the
Okhotsk Plate to the north. Japan was originally attached to the eastern coast of the Eurasiancontinent. The subducting plates pulled Japan eastward, opening the Sea of Japan around 15
million years ago.
Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding
prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. About
73 percent of Japan is forested, mountainous, and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or
residential use. As a result, the habitable zones, mainly located in coastal areas, are highly
populated. Making Japan as one of the most populated countries in the world. Japan’s
geographical and climatologically the country is vulnerable to frequent natural disasters suchas typhoons, torrential rains and heavy snow as well as earthquake, Tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions. Japan is located in the circum-Pacific mobile zone where seismic and volcanic
activities occur constantly. Although the country covers only 0.25% of the land area on theplanet, the number of earthquakes and distribution of active volcanoes is quite high. Due tothe geological formation with plate boundaries of the Pacific plate, the Philippine Sea plate,the Eurasian plate, and the North American plate, Japan is substantially prone to earthquakes
and tsunami, having the highest natural disaster risk in the developed world. Japan has wellestablished disaster early warning system to response the impending disasters. Therefore,
study has helped to compare the warning system with Sri Lanka.

Objectives

To identify current issues in the early warning system in Sri Lanka and Japan.
Identification gaps in the current Early Warning System and remedial measures forfurther improvements both countries.

Methodology
Data and information collected from the both countries. A survey data was gathered by using
a questionnaire method that is utilized to correct, analyze and interpret the views of a groupof people. All the information transfer in to the data which can be used. Data are analyzed byranking method. Primary data were converted to the secondary data. Finally, the conclusion
and recommendation could be forwarded through SWOT analysis techniques.
Data were analyzed by ranking analyzing method. Rank were arrayed from Zero to ten (0 –10). Zero (0) = Dissatisfied, 10 (ten) = 100% Satisfied, 5 (five) = Average of Satisfaction.
Bellow five (5) = Bellow average (need to be improved). Above five (5) = More than average
but there are gaps to be fulfilled. In the other hand, it does imply the value from Zero (0) to ten(10) is equal to the 0% to 100%. Data will be analyzed by the descriptive statistics method
such as Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Standard deviation etc. All relevant data will becompared by qualitatively and quantitatively. Percentage is used to describe the data
proposition of the sample. In order to present the data, Pie charts, bar charts tables will be
used. Analyzed the Gaps and consequences through SWOT.

Limitation of the Research
6. Time: Three months’ period is not enough to gather the data with other works.
7. Field observation: Inadequate discussions has had with affected communities andrelevant officers.
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8. Literature review: Lack of available research on the early warning system.
9. Analysis: Simple analysis method has been used to discuss the result.
10. Inadequate questioner survey in the Japan in each prefecture.

Result and Discussion
Data were evaluated under the main section of Early Warning and Dissemination in thedisaster management field. Result and discussion would be based on the questioner survey.
Early Warning and Dissemination has further categorized into 11 sub field and it is indicatedin the questioner thus giving more elaboration of the Early Warning field. In order to analyze
the relevant data, it has to be divided to many sub areas. All the collected data weresummarized and averaged. Averaged data were representing as percentage except thegeneral information such as land size, population density and HDI. Both Japan and Sri Lanka
data were displayed in the following tables with the detail discussion.

I. Evaluation of General Information to Early Warning

Comparisum of General Facters
Numbers

400

378

336

325

300
200
65

100

25

40

73
20

0
Land size (000) Sq km
Japan

Sri Lanka

Population density sqkmGini co- efficient

Human development
index. (HID) world no.

Different General impact areas to early warning.

Figure 1: Comparison chart of General factors

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Early Warning Response
95%
95%
95% 95%
100%
90%
90%
90%
90%
90%
80% 80%80%
80% 80%80% 82%80%
80%
70% 70%
70%
70%
70%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
40%
40% 40%40%
40% 30%30%
30%30%
30%
30%
20%
20% 10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
5%
5%
5%
10%
0%

Japan

Sri Lanka

Figure 2: Factors affect to the Early Warning, Comparison chart

Japan is 06 time bigger than Sri Lanka. Cost line length of the Japan is 29751 Km while Sri
Lanka cost line is 1340 km. It is 22 times bigger than the Sri Lankan cost line. Density is almost
same. But Japan has high Population distribution in coastal area due to 70% land belong tomountainous and forest while Sri Lanka has 30% mountains and forest. Both the high costline population and long length of the costal line of the Japan will be created the disadvantage
for tsunami disaster early warning. There is a high frequency of chance to missing the warningof entire vulnerable costal belt thus if the one warning tower fail to disseminate warning will beaffect more peoples in the vulnerable area due to high density of population in the costal belt.
However, these facts can be ignoring with the available warning systems. Inequality of income
is high in Sri Lanka. Life expectancy, Education and per capita income are high in japan it isrank no.20. This wealth also effects to the receive the warning due to unavailability of radios,
television, mobile phones and internet facilities to some vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.
Political intervention to the early warning dissemination in Sri Lanka is bit higher than thejapan. It is also effect to consume the timing of warning dissemination. Sri Lanka ismultinational country therefore it has multi-culture. Many languages have been using in Sri
Lanka specially Sinhala, Tamil and English. Sri Lanka has to pass the messages based on
the culture and language in order to control the panic situation. For instance, east and thenorth of the country are majority of Tamils and the moor. Because of that disseminate themessages by Tamil languages is more effective. Also Sri Lanka is tourist country. All the costal
belt is enriched with foreigners. Therefore, it is very important to pass the messages by English
language too.

II. Use of New Technologies for Early Warning
Japan has Early warning systems based on the satellite operation. They have own satellite
which is J-Alert. But Sri Lanka does not have any satellite. A few systems have operated bysatellite technology which are early warning towers and Thuraya satellite communication.
Japan is highly depending on these new technological early warning systems. Those systems
are allocated to where it is vulnerable locations in the country. Japan has fully automatic
warning system. Peoples in the Japan are highly response to the new technological warning
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systems like early warning towers. Sri Lanka also highly depend on the new technologicalearly warning system but systems are not commonly available in the country. Only 77 early
warning towers are available in costal belt in the country. Also Sri Lanka is being dependingon the initial data and information which are forwarding by regional countries specially India,
Indonesia and Australia. Though these new technological systems are reliable in bothcountries, Sri Lanka don’t have proper maintenance mechanism due to unavailability of suchtechnological expertise in the country. This is big issue of Sri Lanka. Japan has their own
technology, skill and, knowledge. However, the Tsunami is very rare in Si Lanka than Japan.
In the past decade the only one tsunami has recorded in Sri Lanka while having more tsunami
in Japan.

III. Use of Conventional Communication Methods for Early Warning (CCM)
Sri Lanka has mostly depended on Conventional Communication Methods due to lack of newtechnological systems. Sri Lanka has been highly responded to these conventional
communication systems but it is depending on person to person and also the other factors
which are environment, location, number of system available, kind and type of thecommunication system etc. This system also has depended on the national system because
they cannot predict the tsunami. Therefore, they have to be alert on the national warning andinformation receiving system. If there is a gaps or failure in national system, entire
conventional communicational system has failed. Due to low cost of operation andmaintenance this CCM is very much popular in rural area in Sri Lanka. Japan has a very few
systems are operations such as megaphone and public address systems. Japan has proper
maintenance mechanism if the systems are existing. But it is very low reliability in bothcountries.

IV. Utilization of social media and electronic media for early warning
Japan has separate media channel for early warning and they can operate independently. Sri
Lanka has depended on privet and government broadcasting and telecasting channels andthose are not working at 24 hours’ basis. Both countries predominantly using but Sri Lanka
has not proper mechanism to use this media during night time. Face book, twitter, WhatsApp,
Skype, messenger, viber and other social media are being used by the both countries. But inthe night no one has responded to getting warning from social media.

V. Use of Other Network for Early Warning (Military & police etc.)
Japan use their own communication system while Sri Lanka has been more utilized the othercommunication systems such as Military, Police, fire brigade, coast guard, railway etc. This isvery reliable when the main system has fail the other alternative system has existed. Also
peoples more confidence when it is coming more communication channels.

VI. Rehearsals, Testing of Early Warning Equipment
Japan has frequently testing of their communication systems by full strength. But Sri Lanka
has not operated the system frequently in the full strength. Sri Lanka is being used poll testing
method to test the early warning towers in order to prevent the panic. But it does not imply
the workability of the voice dissemination of the warning towers. Both countries are being
displayed the above average level in the testing of communication systems.

VII. Responsibility of Different Administrative levels for Warning Dissemination
Sri Lanka national government has higher responsibility to early warning dissemination at any
time. Districts of Sri Lanka also has same responsibility to pass the message to the district
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level and community level. Sri Lankan village level communities have high responsibility todisseminate the early warning among their communities due to inadequate technological early
warning equipment. Japan has each prefectures level early warning system to cater all thevulnerable areas in the country. But japan don’t have any responsibilities to warn the people
nationally. If Prefecture could not able to disseminate the national government pass themessages immediately through the broadcasting, telecasting and by using othercommunication techniques.

VIII. Evaluation of communication in the Tsunami Early Warning
Most of the time Japan Peoples can feel the earthquake. They have their own sign for tsunami
disaster, the people can take the decision to move to safe location. Japan has direct delivery
and receiving early warning mechanism without depend other nation. Japan has high technicalbody to analyze the situation. Sri Lanka also satisfied if the messages received on time but
Sri Lanka has to be depend on the International body to get the tsunami warning. However,Sri Lanka has integrated early warning system pass the message as soon as possible to thevulnerable communities.

IX. Awareness of tsunami early warning system
Japan has an excellent awareness system among the public sector. Japan had several
tsunamis in the past decade. This experiences also convenience to peoples in alert to thetsunami awareness. Therefore, most of the peoples know the tsunami. However, if the peoples
know tsunami, they could not have about where to go, what time to go, what to bring etc.
Especially they don’t know about transportation arrangement. Therefore, all the peoples arecome with their vehicles. That would be major issue in the japan. The japan warning system
has not yet concern about this issues. Sri Lanka has to improve the public awareness on early
warning mechanism with the all the communities. Only the coastal communities know thetsunami warning system. But the other communities should have also known the warning
system in order to prevent the impact from tsunami disasters.

X. Effectiveness of Early Warning System
Both countries have given higher priorities on early warning systems to save the lives andproperties. Effectiveness of the early warning system depend on the Quality of messages andthe warning received by public. More tsunamis have to be happened in order to analyze theeffectiveness of the warning system. If there is no tsunami effectiveness also zero. Therefore,
Japan has high effectiveness why it is operated in 2011 tsunami successfully. But in Sri Lanka
do not have any tsunami after the establishment of tsunami towers simply after 2004.

XI. Analysis of Cost and Benefit investment for EW Systems
Comparatively Sri Lanka also invested more than the return of investment to the tsunami early
warning system. But Sri Lanka has only one experience in 2004 tsunami. Bu Japan has highvulnerability to tsunami. Based on the frequency of tsunami occurrence, Investment has
focused on Multi hazards angle. Therefore, it can be used to any impending disasters.

XII. Available and usability of the Early Warning Methods
The following table has described the technological and conventional early warning systems
that are used in the world and also it is display the magnitude of use in Japan and Sri Lanka.
No

Communication SystemJapan

Sri Lanka

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1
2

Land line telephones /CDMA
Early Warning Towers

3

Satellites

4

SMS

5

Cell Broadcast

Always using for public at
any network.
No in use

6
7

VHF/HF Radio
Mobile Network

Common use
Common use

8

Television channels

24 hours channels

9Radio channels

10
11

Press media
Fax

24 hours channels andseparate channels areavailable.
Not enough time
Ordinary use

12
13

Email
Internet

Always using.
Common use

14

By Vehicles –Announcements
NGOs and CBOs
PA Systems

Fire brigade, police vehicles
and helicopters are used.
Not much involved
Commonly fixed systems arebeing used.
Very common
Not useCommon use
Not useNot use.
Not use77 towers only. Use for tsunami
and cyclone.
Tower operation and very rare use
for communication.
Use for selected costumes.
Cannot operate all the networks.
Fairly use but do not haveconfidence.
Moderate use.
Common use. But in the disaster,
network system jammed.
No 24 hours channel. During nighttime have to inform to start the
telecast.
No 24 hours’ channel. During nighttime have to inform to start the
telecast
Not enough time
Only 15 minutes can use after thatsystem jammed.
Selected personal only
Messages Upload but not commonuse.
No helicopters used, police,
military vehicles.
High involved.
Always used. Mobile Pa systems
also use.
Very common.
Ordinary use.
A very few use.
Common use.
Common use
Ordinary use.

Not prominent. No
mechanism.
Rare use

Committees are available. In thedisasters cannot find the committee.
Ordinary use

Japan has dedicated line tocommunication. Therefore,
not depend on othercommunication.
Very rare

SL always depend on othercommunication system such as
military, police, fire brigade etc.

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

26

Mega phones.
Hand Sirens
Electric Sirens
Temple and church bells
Mosque PA system
Riders/ Push Bicycle &Motor
Early Warning Committees(Door to Door)
Flags and different colour
cords.
Other institutional
communication systems

Mouth to mouth.

Common use

Common use

Commonly using for every
disasters
Common use

Higher relationship among thecommunities. Most common
practices.

Table1: Available and usability of the Early Warning Methods

XIII.

SWOT analysis

SWOT technique uses for analyze the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of theearly warning mechanism in the japan and Sri Lanka.
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impact of warning etc. between two countries and within the country. This table results also
link with theNo

Information effect to EW
30. Land size of the country
31. Costal Population density
32. Gini co- efficient
33. Human development index. (HID)
34. Political intervention for EW
35. Cultural impact for EW
36. Language impact for EW
37. Use of different Type of messages to EW
38. Availability of very high sophisticated (Satellite etc) early
warning methods
39. Public response for new technological early warning
40. Operational arrangement of new early warning system
41. Reliability of new early warning systems
42. Maintenance and upgrades
43. Available conventional communication methods
44. Public response for conventional early warning
45. Operational arrangement of conventional early warning system
46. Reliability of conventional warning systems
47. Contribution of electronic media for early warning
48. Contribution of social media for early warning
49. Contribution of other network for early warning
50. Voice testing (Live testing)
51. Communication testing (poll test)
52. National level EW
53. Subnational level EW
54. Community level EW
55. Satisfaction of delivery and reception of EW messages
56. Public awareness on warning mechanism
57. Effectiveness of having early warning system and early
warning
58. Investment of early warning systemJapan

Sri Lanka

Weakness
Threats
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
WeaknessStrength

Weakness
Opportunity
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Threats
Strength
Strength

Opportunity
Strength
Strength
Opportunity
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Weakness
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Weakness
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength

Opportunity
Strength
Weakness
WeaknessStrength
Opportunity
Weakness
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Opportunity
Opportunity
Strength
Strength
Opportunity
Opportunities
Opportunity
Strength

Strength

Strength

Table 2: SWOT comparison table

Considering the above table, all the weakness has to be strengthened, all the opportunities
has to be changed to strength, all the threats has to be avoided or should be strength the otherappropriate action to prevent the effect of threats and all the strengths has to be kept as it isor strength can be made more strength as shown in the bellow chart.

Strengths

Weakness

Opportunities

Threats

Figure 3 : SWOT impact windows

Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
A complete and effective early warning system comprises of four elements
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v.)
Identification of Disaster Risk, Sign and Threats
A complete early warning system should have a system to identify the impending disaster risk,sing and threats independently.
vi.)Timely Disseminate and Reception of Messages.
Identified disaster risk, sign and threats has to process to the valuable message and thatmessage should have to disseminate timely and it should be verified the reception of relevant
communities in the appropriate mechanism.
vii.)
Efficiency of the Warning Mechanism
Efficiency of the early warning messages has depended on the time of dissemination andreception, accuracy of the message, short and clarity, community perception and acceptanceand community respond.
viii.) Effectiveness of the system
The effectiveness of the system would be depended on number of disaster occurrence,
availability of the system and reliability of the system.
The Early Warning Systems plays a major role in saving human lives and reduce economic
losses caused due to natural disasters such as tsunami, earthquakes, floods, landslides, andother events. And it gives time for people living on risk areas to escape to higher ground,protecting themselves from falling objects and stopping trains before they are overtaken bythese events. But it’s important to start early warning systems in sustainable way for them tohave a positive effect on the community on the long run.
Conduct communication drills with communities, governments, and experts should exchange
information and ideas about potential risks. Communities should be able to understand theinformation delivered in the warning, while also being aware of the system’s limitations.
Link with community-based activities, warning systems and other measures organized bycommunities may be particularly relevant in developing countries where government capacity
and resources are limited. Start with low-cost systems: Start Warning systems with simple
methods. Low-cost equipment, such as fire bells and sirens can be used. Also, government
staff must understand communities’ response to disasters to design warning systems.
Understand the limitations of technology: Although various technologies, such as tsunami
simulations, communication systems, and earthquake monitoring are all needed to develop
effective warning systems, their limitations must be taken into account. Guidelines for quick
decision making, disaster related organizations and government agencies should have a user
manual or SOP for quick decision making. explaining when to disseminate the evacuation
orders.
Understand communities, coping mechanisms, since warning systems are meant to benefit
communities on the ground and to inform their actions, the responsible organizations should
understand how local people cope with and respond to disasters. Community members decideon their own when, where, and how to escape. The organizations should tailor the contents ofwarning messages to the users’ needs and points of view. Such messages need to be simple,
timely, and encourage evacuation.
Establish uninterrupted systems, to ensure that warnings reach the communities at risk.
Multiple communication channels should be established so that information keeps flowing incase of power and communication failures. (e.g.: SMS, loudspeakers, sirens. etc.) Ensureservices are available 24/7: Since natural events can happen at any time, the organizations
concerned are required to function around the clock—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff
duty rotation should be arranged in the organizations.
With considering above four elements of the early warning system, the Japan has consisted
all the four pillars. The japan has not depend on the other countries. But there are some gaps
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and constrain of the above mentioned four pillars and japan has to take adequate action to
fulfilled the above given gaps and constrains.
With considering japan, Sri Lanka has many more gaps and constrains in the Early warning
system even the above four elements have not fulfilled by the system. Identification of tsunami
disaster, Sri Lanka is being depended on the regional and international technical agencies.
There is no any independent technical system to issue the tsunami warning due to inadequate
technology and money.

Recommendations
6. To make complete and effective early warning system should be inter-related withmany elements, knowledge of hazards and vulnerabilities, education and training forpeople at risk, dissemination strategies and reception strategies as well as
preparedness capacity to respond.
7. Responsibilities need to be clearly defined and people need to be well-informed andfeel a degree of ownership of the implementation process. Much depends on
establishing institutional capacities to ensure that early warning systems are wellintegrated into governmental policy and decision-making process. Focusing on early
warning systems itself - show how communities can be involved in this process or how
they can initiate the establishment of an early warning system at local level inconnection with those at national, regional and international levels.
8. People-centered early warning systems is to be empowered individuals andcommunities exposed to hazards to act in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner
to reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property and theenvironment.
9. Stakeholders comprising both information suppliers and information receivers should
be made educated on all key elements of the end-to-end system and the relevant
SOPs and communications which have to be complied.
10. Early Warning is the uttermost important thing. It has to be validated periodically.

Recommendations for Japan
8. Japan has to be developed a traffic plan and it should be integrated with the early
warning system to ensure the evacuation of the vulnerable communities due to highdensity of costal population and
9. When the earth quake magnitude is more than 07, the population of the 01 kilometerfrom the beach should be evacuated to the safer location with their vehicles within 05– 10 minutes and if they unable to evacuate within given time, aware the people toevacuate without vehicles in order to avoid traffic jam.
10. The Japan has to be enhanced the awareness of the early warning systems, channels,
mechanisms and type and kind of early warning massagers which are going to be send
the communities.
11. Japan is being disseminated several messages to general public and vulnerable
communities. Therefore, each and every people could not be taken appropriate
decision. In order to reduce this panic situation before the relevant time, Japan has toreduce the number of advisory, alert, warning messages. People do not needearthquake messages, magnitude, epicenter, etc. when consider the tsunami. Japan
has to be emphasized to the communities on evacuation message as soon as possible
due to limited time for tsunamis.
12. Japan has to be improved the conventional communication system to response evenduring the night time. Early warning towers and other system could not be explained
the evacuation locations and further additional details, in such situation conventional
mechanism are important to guide the people until reach to safe locations. Therefore,
Megaphone, public address systems etc, has to be ready in appropriate locations.
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13. Japan has more than 60 % elderly peoples. They are taken more than 15 minutes toevacuate to the safe location by foot. Most of elderly and different abled people will die
due to tsunami while they are moving to safe location and lack of awareness on early
warning. In order to prevent such situation, Evacuation messages has to bedisseminated as soon as possible.
14. Japan ordinary used Japanese language to warn the communities but japan has totake keen attention about foreign delegates who are working in the japan. Therefore,
japan has to provided warning message at least English language too like “Tsunami,
Tsunami, please Evacuate, Evacuate”.

Recommendations for Sri Lanka
6. Improve the dedicated communication system with the regional warning centers between
the national tsunami warning centers to avoid the communication interruption. Sri Lankan
peoples could not get the earthquake feeling where Sri Lanka is not locating in theearthquake fault or Ring of fire.
7. Sri Lanka has cultural and social impacts for early warning specially language and givingnight time evacuation order. The women cannot be seen in the night around 7pm due totransport barriers, less security, culture itself refuse to see the women in the night,
dependence are not allowed etc, therefor Sri Lanka has to do the in the night time byusing early warning system to avoid the such situation. Only the early warning towers has
provided messages by three languages. But each and every warning messages has tobe disseminate by “Sinhala, Tamil, English” language in order to prevent the language
barriers in Sri Lanka and thus each administrative levels have to be kept in ready theprerecorded warning messages to disseminate at the disasters.
8. Sri Lanka has been struggling with new technology involvement after established with theearly warning system in 2009. Sri Lanka has to be hired the technology from the original
suppliers and it has to upgrade by time to time expending high cost. It is highly
recommending to integrate with local technologies which can be sustained and effective
by corporate with technical institutes.
9. The Sri Lanka has a well-established early warning system. Though it is well established,
there is no any dedicated channel to conform the dissemination and reception of themessage. Sri Lanka is being utilized many other channels which are military, police, etc.
to overcome the current gap of early warning system. It is recommended to arrange a
dedicated line with several locations to get the feedback of early warning messages.
10. After the great 2004 tsunami the word “TSUNAMI” is famous in the country. But science,
aptitude of the hazard and many other response activates are not known by many othercommunities in the middle part of the country. Awareness on tsunami has to be provided
and enhanced to the communities in order to save the life from future tsunamis.

Common recommendation to the world on early warning mechanism
4. In the past decade most of the peoples in the world has died by tsunamis due to lackof tsunami early warning system without concerning region, country, race, religion
or any other factors. Most of countries they don’t have enough money to cover theentire area by warning systems. Some systems are very expensive. Some countries are
doing business and earn large profit by selling early warning system. Most of thecountries are struggled with the technologies. Therefore, it is recommended to be
identified and established a common early warning system (One system)for all
countries such as digital HF communication system or satellite base communication
system etc. to overcome the early warning issues in the world and save the lives formtsunamis.
5. There are many warning systems exist in the word at the present. Many sirens, many
colour codes are been using for communicate the warning information to the public.
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Therefore, it is recommended to be standardized the sound that can be utilized as aCommon sound for disasters such as ambulance sound. That common sound will
help to identified the disasters in anywhere in the world and it can be integrated tomobile phones, radios, early warning towers, emergency response vehicles evenduring night time and also SMS alert for elderly people, foreigners.
6. Create awareness among the communities to “improve their ability to judge thedisasters” take appropriate action like “Kamaishi Higashi Junior High School” injapan 2011 tsunami respond.
Reference• http://www.disastermin.gov.lk• http://www.dmc.gov.lk• http://www.meteo.gov.lk• http://www.treasury.gov.lk• http://www.adrc.asia/index.php
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preparedness
Disaster Management Act No 13 of 2005.
Disaster Management Policy of 2014.
National Disaster Management Plan. (2013-2017).
National Emergency Operation Plan 2016 -2020
Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, (2014-2018),

http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/brochure_earthquake_and_tsunami.pdf
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/brochure201203.pdf
http://www.howitworksdaily.com/how-a-tsunami-works/japan Japan in a subduction
zone (1) -http://www.nidm.gov.in/easindia2014/err/pdf/country_profile/Japan.pdf
http://www.data.jma.go.jp/svd/eqev/data/en/tsunami/tsunamiwarning-leaflet.pdf

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