Sri Lanka has faced multiple natural disasters in recent years, including floods, cyclones, fires, and landslides. Unfortunately, during these events, gaps in political, economic, and community-level disaster management have magnified the suffering experienced by citizens.
Critical aspects such as preparedness, proactive planning, and effective coordination were insufficient, reducing the country’s ability to respond efficiently. Disruptions in transportation, hospitals, electricity, and water supply during disasters have placed enormous hardships on affected communities.
This failure has been evident during recent floods and cyclones, where residents were forced to evacuate their homes but faced limited access to safe routes, temporary shelters, and basic relief supplies.
Looking forward, Sri Lanka must fully utilize available resources, authority, and public engagement to implement comprehensive disaster management. Long-term investments in drainage systems, river and watershed management, resilient infrastructure, and effective internal communication networks are essential to prepare for future crises.
Collaboration between government agencies, economic institutions, and community organizations is crucial to safeguard public safety and maintain economic stability. Learning from past failures and coordinating actions with citizens is a fundamental step in minimizing loss of life and property during disasters.
Conclusion: Sri Lanka’s priority should be learning from past shortcomings, implementing proactive planning, and taking efficient action to protect its population from future natural disasters.
