Disaster Management Preparedness Program to be Implemented During Sri Lanka Election

(COLOMBO) – The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Authorities have made arrangements to implement a special program to ensure the voting of all people at the upcoming Presidential Election scheduled to be held on September 21st in the event of any disaster related emergencies. 

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said the special disaster management program to be implemented by the DMC during the upcoming presidential election after chairing a meeting with officials of DMC, tri forces, Civil Security Department, Police and other related State agencies on Tuesday.

Tennakoon said that the DMC will facilitate all necessary measures needed to implement this program in keeping with the Elections Commission’s guidelines and direction to provide every citizen the opportunity to exercise their universal franchise even during disaster. He also said that prior preparedness is essential and that all personnel in related State agencies will be geared to face any disaster related emergencies, especially during the election period. 

A special District Election Disaster Management Special Unit will also be set up during the election period and all disaster management activities will be coordinated by this unit, he said. In addition, the DMC’s dedicated hotline 117 will be operational at all times.  

Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, tri forces commanders, Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Director General of the DMC, DMC tri forces and Police representatives were present at the meeting.