Emergency

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) is Responsible for Implementing and Coordinating National and sub-national programs to reduce disaster risk. Established under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005, the DMC’s main activities include research and development, mitigation, planning preparedness, early warning, emergency response, and coordination of relief and post-disaster activities. Disaster Management Committees and District Disaster Management Coordination Units (DDMCU) are established across the country to facilitate coordination and implementation. The DMC’s vision is safer communities and sustainable development in Sri Lanka. Its principal functions include assisting the Council in preparing the National Disaster Management Plan and the National Emergency Operation Plan, ensuring that various Disaster Management Plans conform to the National Disaster Management Plan, preparing and implementing disaster preparedness, mitigation, prevention, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities, issuing instructions and guidelines, promoting research and development programs, and submitting reports to the Council. The Act covers various hazards, including floods, landslides, industrial hazards, tsunamis, earthquakes, air hazards, fires, epidemics, explosions, civil or internal strife, chemical accidents, radiological emergencies, oil spills, nuclear disasters, urban and forest fires, and coastal erosion.