The Government has significantly increased compensation for disaster victims in the 2025 Budget, raising individual payouts from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 1 million, while the maximum compensation for a destroyed house remains at Rs. 2.5 million, as per the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act.
Despite the increase, in the face of constant adverse events resulting from flooding, landslides, and especially after the recent fires in Ella, questions still remain on whether Sri Lanka is truly prepared to neutralise another disaster.
The recent fire in Ella broke out on 13 February in the Ella Rock area of the Ravana Ella Forest Reserve, a highly sensitive environmental zone rich in biodiversity. It spread rapidly over 600 acres due to dry weather and strong winds, causing significant damage, including the destruction of rare species of animals and plants.
The intense heat from the fire also caused huge boulders in the forest reserve to crack, posing a risk to the Ella-Wellawaya main highway.
Authorities, including the Police, security forces, Ella Pradeshiya Sabha, Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation, and the Bandarawela Municipal Council Fire Brigade, launched a massive round-the-clock operation to douse the fire, creating firebreaks to prevent the blaze from reaching protected conservation areas. After three days of relentless efforts, the fire was brought under control.
Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Preparedness Planning Division Director Chathura Liyanaarachchi explained that the fires had not been caused due to natural events but were instead man-made. He added that investigations were continuing to determine the culprits behind the fires.
In the face of mounting climate-related challenges and recurring natural disasters, Sri Lanka has taken significant strides in bolstering its disaster preparedness and response framework. With a history marked by devastating calamities, including the 2004 tsunami, landslides, monsoonal floods, and most recently the Ella fires, Sri Lanka has developed robust policies, early warning mechanisms, and institutional frameworks to mitigate risks and ensure resilience.
Legal and policy frameworks
Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness is anchored in the Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005, which lays the foundation for a systematic approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Liyanaarachchi explained that the act led to the establishment of the DMC, tasked with overseeing disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
“We align our efforts with globally recognised frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These documents guide our national policies to ensure Sri Lanka remains proactive in disaster management,” he noted.
At the national level, Sri Lanka has implemented the National Disaster Management Policy, National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), and National Emergency Operation Plan (NEOP). Sub-nationally, District Disaster Management Plans (DDMPs) and Community-Based DRR plans provide a structured approach to local-level preparedness and response.
Disaster management since 2004 tsunami
The 2004 tsunami was a turning point for Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for institutional preparedness. Following this catastrophe, the DMC established 25 District Disaster Management Coordination Units, each led by a deputy or assistant director, and developed 25 DDMPs.
“We have also formulated a Tsunami Operational Plan covering 14 coastal districts and identified 3,157 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) as high-risk areas,” Liyanaarachchi said. “Risk indices and hazard profiles provide sector-specific recommendations, particularly for the private sector and tourism industry, ensuring business and service continuity.”
The DMC operates through several specialised divisions, including the Mitigation, Research, and Development Division; Training, Education, and Public Awareness Division; Preparedness Planning Division; and 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre with a call centre. These divisions ensure an integrated approach to disaster management, focusing on research, technology, and efficient response coordination.
Climate change and human-induced disasters
Sri Lanka, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, has incorporated climate adaptation measures into national policies. The Climate Change Secretariat under the Ministry of Environment collaborates with other agencies to align national strategies with global climate action commitments.
Liyanaarachchi distinguished between natural disasters and climate change impacts, stating: “While monsoonal floods and landslides are short-term events, climate change manifests over decades through sea level rise, global warming, and desertification. Sri Lanka is already experiencing erratic weather patterns and increasing climate-related risks.”
In addition to natural disasters, human activities contribute significantly to risk factors. “Unauthorised constructions, improper drainage modifications, and deforestation increase vulnerabilities,” Liyanaarachchi warned.
To counter this, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Treasury have made Disaster Impact Assessments (DIA) mandatory for project approvals, ensuring resilience in urban planning.
Although the Disaster Management Act covered 21 hazards, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats, it lacked provisions for drowning incidents and animal attacks, Liyanaarachchi pointed out. However, with increasing instances of human-induced disasters like wildfires, authorities are expanding their risk mitigation efforts.
Challenges in wildfire response
Recent wildfires in Ella, Monaragala, and Haputale have exposed limitations in firefighting capabilities.
“These fires were not naturally occurring but were set intentionally. The challenge lies in limited resources and access to affected areas,” Liyanaarachchi explained. “Our efforts depend on ground battalions from the Sri Lanka Army, firefighting units, and local authorities, but reaching remote locations remains difficult.”
When asked if dispatching helicopters and airborne systems were not feasible, he said that such mechanisms, although explored, lacked the capacity to adequately transport water and other material to fire-prone areas in hilly regions.
Despite these obstacles, the DMC collaborates with security forces and emergency responders to strengthen wildfire containment efforts. The Government is also investing in new firefighting technologies such as aerial firefighting drones and satellite-based fire detection systems, which will enhance monitoring and rapid response, according to Liyanaarachchi.
Early warning systems and tech advancements
A strong early warning system is fundamental to Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness strategy, ensuring that communities at risk receive timely alerts and have the opportunity to evacuate or take necessary precautions. The country has developed a multi-layered communication system designed to provide rapid and widespread dissemination of warnings through various channels.
The tri-forces and Police communication networks play a crucial role in coordinating emergency response efforts, allowing security forces to relay critical information to affected areas efficiently. Additionally, the Inter-Governmental Network (IGN) system, which enables direct communication between the President and coastal security camps, ensures swift decision-making and deployment of necessary resources during crises.
To support these efforts, Sri Lanka has invested in High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) communication systems, which provide reliable emergency communication, particularly in remote areas where conventional networks may fail. In situations of large-scale disasters where conventional communication infrastructure is compromised, satellite communication is employed, although its high cost limits its usage to major emergencies.
Recognising the growing reliance on mobile technology, the Disaster and Emergency Warning Network (DEWN) by Dialog and the SOS Tsunami Alert System, which is integrated with all mobile service providers, have been established to ensure immediate alerts reach the general public. These systems allow real-time updates and alerts to be sent via SMS, mobile apps, and automated calls, minimising casualties and economic losses.
To further enhance its disaster response capabilities, the DMC is now working on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven risk assessment models. By utilising real-time weather and geological data, these models aim to predict disasters with greater accuracy, providing authorities with better insights into potential risks and allowing for preemptive action.
The DMC is also investing in improved forecasting techniques, utilising remote sensing and big data analytics to track weather patterns, detect early signs of natural hazards, and provide precise localised warnings.
Employing multiple strategies
When it comes to disaster preparedness, different strategies are required based on the type of disaster. Sri Lanka experiences floods and landslides frequently, especially during the monsoon seasons. Over the years, advancements in forecasting and mitigation have significantly improved the ability of authorities to respond swiftly.
“Preparedness is measured by response time and resource availability,” Liyanaarachchi explained, emphasising that investing in community awareness programmes, emergency drills, and infrastructure resilience was essential for effective disaster management. Regular training sessions, simulation exercises, and public awareness campaigns ensure that both authorities and citizens are well prepared for emergencies.
For flood preparedness, Sri Lanka has implemented real-time flood monitoring systems, rainfall forecasting models, reservoir management strategies, and enhanced drainage infrastructure to minimise urban flooding. These initiatives help predict and control water levels, reducing the impact of flash floods in vulnerable regions.
When it comes to landslides, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has established early warning protocols, identifying high-risk areas and implementing preventive measures such as slope stabilisation and improved drainage systems. Meanwhile, tsunami preparedness has been reinforced through the establishment of evacuation drills, designated safe zones, and clearly marked escape routes in coastal regions.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka aims to integrate advanced technologies and foster greater collaboration between the Government, private sector, and international partners to enhance disaster resilience.
“AI-driven early warning systems, improved satellite monitoring, and community-based resilience programmes will play a key role in the future,” Liyanaarachchi highlighted.
Key focus areas for the country’s disaster management strategy include increased investment in DRR infrastructure, strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), enhancing funding mechanisms for preparedness initiatives, expanding training and capacity-building programmes, and promoting environmentally sustainable urban development to mitigate climate-related risks.
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, Sri Lanka continues to refine its preparedness strategies, ensuring that early warning systems are not only effective but also accessible to all segments of society. By combining cutting-edge technology with community-driven initiatives, the nation is steadily enhancing its resilience against future disasters.