On 10th March 2025, representatives from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) met with Major General (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda, the newly appointed Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Sri Lanka, who assumed his duties on 7th March 2025. This meeting marked the first official interaction between the new Director General and key stakeholders, including intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, local NGOs, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
During the meeting, the Co-Chairs of SLPP and ADPC representatives warmly welcomed Major General (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda as the new Co-Chair of SLPP, representing the DMC and the overall government sector member organizations within the partnership. This meeting served as an important occasion to introduce the new Director General to the objectives of ADPC, the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP), and the Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP), providing him with an overview of their ongoing activities, particularly in the context of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and disaster preparedness initiatives under the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF).
The discussion covered several crucial topics, including,
- An introduction to ADPC and SLPP for the newly appointed Director General of DMC.
- Updates on DRR activities planned under the ADRF, designed to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across the country.
- Detailed planning and coordination for the upcoming 9th Asian Preparedness Partnership Regional Steering Committee (APPRSC) meeting, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka from 2nd to 4th April 2025.
As Sri Lanka currently serves as the Co-Chair of APPRSC, the SLPP has taken responsibility for organizing this important regional forum. The event will bring together a range of special invitees and representatives from National Disaster Management Organizations (NDMOs), local civil society and humanitarian networks, private sector networks representing the respective National Preparedness Partnerships (NPPs) of the APP member countries, ADRF committee members, development partners and donors, the APP Secretariat, and ADPC staff.
The meeting with Major General (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda signified a significant step towards fostering stronger collaboration among the DMC, ADPC, SLPP, and other key stakeholders. The cordial discussions highlighted the commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness efforts and building resilience in Sri Lanka. This collaboration will play a crucial role in improving the country’s ability to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to disasters, ensuring a more resilient future for its people.
