President of Sri Lanka Red Cross meets Disaster Management Minister to further strengthen humanitarian response
15/06/2016 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Jagath Abeysinghe met yesterday with the Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to discuss as to how both the Ministry and the Sri Lanka Red Cross can work together to ensure a better disaster response in the future.
The discussion mostly focused on the areas that the Red Cross can assist and also as to how better coordinate relief agencies that engage in disaster response specially to avoid duplicating work.
Both parties extensively discussed on the recent floods and landslide situation focusing more on temporarily resettling people affected and then onwards towards permanent resettlements. On behalf of the Government the Minister requested the support of the Red Cross in ensuring these activities are carried out properly on the ground.
The Minister and the President of Sri Lanka Red Cross also agreed to frequently to hold discussions as we move forward.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management S. S. Miyanawela, Director General of Disaster Management Centre Rtd. Maj. General. L. B. R. Mark, Director General of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Dr. Eng. Asiri Karunawardena,Director General of Department of Meteorology Lalith Chandrapala, Additional Secretary of Disaster Management Ministry Dr. S. Amaranathan and Col. Sudath Madugalla Deputy Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross were present at the meeting.