A special emergency response task force will be established under the leadership of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to coordinate responses to emergencies such as flash floods.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat 6 November, following flooding in Colombo on 6 November.

The task force will include representatives from the Tri-Forces, Police and relevant institutions, following instructions from Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

CMC officials informed the meeting that approximately 129 mm of rain had fallen within one hour, exceeding the drainage system's capacity of around 30 mm per hour.

The meeting also identified blocked drains, improper waste disposal and unauthorised constructions as factors contributing to flooding. Short-, medium- and long-term plans to improve the drainage system will be developed.