As part of the Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) Phase III (2024–2026) and the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF) Grant Pillar I, SLPP conducted the first Subnational Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on 13th February 2025 at Hotel Blackstone, Hambantota. The workshop focused on enhancing forecast-based, locally led early warning and early action systems for landslides, specifically in the Walasmulla Divisional Secretary division of Hambantota District.
The event was attended by SLPP co-chairs and their teams, including Major General H. M. Udaya Herath, Director General, DMC Sri Lanka, Ms. Manori Dissanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, CEO, Janathakshan GTE Ltd. The initiative was led by Mr. Bimal Indrajith De Silva, District Secretary of Hambantota, and coordinated by the Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) – Hambantota District. The event facilitated multi-stakeholder discussions among public institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector representatives to strengthen disaster resilience in the region.
The workshop, financially supported by the ADRF Grant – Pillar I, aimed to reach at-risk last-mile communities by improving early warning systems and locally led early action mechanisms.
During the event, participants were presented with the district risk profile, as well as an overview of the SLPP’s partnership with the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) and the ADRF project plan for Hambantota district. Subnational partners engaged in group discussions and collaborative exercises to explore strategies for community preparedness, early warning dissemination, and strengthening local response mechanisms for landslide risks. These efforts aligned with the goals of the National Disaster Management Plan and supported localized disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Participants also identified previously unnoticed disaster risks in the area, examined the institutions responsible for intervention, and reviewed existing measures to address these challenges. Alternative solutions were proposed, and an outline for a comprehensive action plan was developed to improve disaster preparedness and response efforts in the region.
This successful workshop marked a significant step towards building a resilient landslide risk management system in Hambantota, ensuring at-risk communities are better prepared for future disasters.
