Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake on Thursday (26) called for urgent action to speed up relief and recovery efforts for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, stressing the need for stronger coordination among state institutions.
Kumanayake made the remarks while chairing a progress review meeting of the National Council for Disaster Management (NCDM) at the Presidential Secretariat, according to the Presidential Media Division.
He said effective coordination among agencies responsible for disaster response is critical to ensuring timely assistance to affected populations. Although institutions operate with separate mandates and plans, Kumanayake said coordinated action through a single mechanism would make relief and disaster management operations more efficient.
He also emphasized the importance of accurate information sharing and decision-making based on reliable data to accelerate assistance to affected communities.
Officials discussed measures to identify suitable land and expedite the construction of new houses for people living in disaster-affected and high-risk areas, in line with assessments and recommendations by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO). It was also decided to hold a special discussion with the Commissioner of Essential Services to fast-track the housing program.
Kumanayake instructed officials to ensure the prompt payment of compensation and other allowances to disaster victims and to give special attention to appeals from those who have yet to receive benefits.
Senior officials including the secretary of defense, ministry secretaries, senior presidential secretariat officials, and heads of disaster management and technical agencies attended the meeting. (NewsWire)
