State Minister for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has briefed the media on the measures taken by authorities to address the dry weather conditions experienced in the country and the increase in forest fires due to such weather conditions.
According to the Defence Ministry, addressing a press conference held this week (Mar 13), the State Minister said that the Met Department has forecasted that rainfall can be expected at the end of March and in April.
He further said that even if there was any decrease in the rainfall, the Disaster Management Centre has plans with the Coordination of its District Offices and Divisional Secretariat Offices to address issues arising in this regard.
The Minister went on to note that the armed forces are constantly ready to help prepare and provide alternative facilities for any inconvenience and calamity that may occur to the people.
With the prevailing dry weather, some people tend to hunt animals and it has been observed that certain sections of villagers set fires according to their myth that forest fires can bring rain.
State Minister Tennakoon urged the people to refrain from such extremely destructive activities and requested everyone’s support to control this situation.
Requests have also been made to the Forest Conservation Department, the Wildlife Department and the Police to impose the maximum punishment within the existing legal framework on those involved in forest fires.
The State Minister of Defence also announced that necessary steps are to be taken to amend the law considering the existing weaknesses and the need to update laws.
Pointing out that the Met Department has identified the North Central, North West, Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces as the hotter provinces, he said education authorities have been informed to take care of the health and safety of school children due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.
Measures have been taken to identify areas with drinking water shortages in hot regions experiencing intense sunshine, with Disaster Relief Centres on standby to provide water supply to those areas and there is a pre-preparedness program for this purpose.
The Minister emphasised that he would discuss with the Water Supply Board and work to provide drinking water.
Minister Tennakoon also informed the media on the recent increase in forest fires and the measures taken for the same while further educating them on the legal measures taken against those involved in such acts through the existing legal framework.
“Considering this situation, due to the dry weather in our country, the DMC, the Armed Forces, the Fire Brigade, the District Secretariats, the Wildlife Department and the Forest Conservation Department have made great efforts in the last few days to suppress the forest fires in the country,” he said.
Responding to a query made by a journalist, the minister said it has been identified that Sri Lanka is located close to the equator and receives abundant rainfall and high evaporation as well, adding that a formal study should be done in this regard.
He furthermore added that steps will be taken to raise awareness through the Ministry of Agriculture about the damage caused by forest fires, to use water from rivers, lakes, ponds, etc. for the agricultural industry in a useful and economical manner, the importance of using technology such as water drip method and the need to innovate the agricultural industry. (NewsWire)