Yes

Annual occurrence of widespread drought in Sri Lanka, much of the country (2/3 of country is a designated dry zone) experiences moderate-to-severe dry periods. In 2020 312,235 people across all 14 provinces were affected by drought from January to May (DMC).

No

As per UBC world seismic zoning, Sri Lanka is situated in seismic zone 0.

Yes

Epidemics include Dengue

Yes

Yes, heat and humidity in both dry and rainy season

Yes

Sri Lanka is ranked #6 on the 2020 Climate Risk Index. The flood risk profile is rising due to increasing impacts and frequency of hydro meteorological hazards during monsoon seasons (Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery), 2017).  Flooding is one of the most prevalent disasters in Sri Lanka and the cause of most fatalities when external natural shocks occur. Major floods in Sri Lanka are associated with seasonal monsoons. Typically, during the Southwest monsoon season (May-September) the western, southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces are vulnerable to floods. During the Northeast monsoon (December-February) the eastern, northern and north-central provinces are prone to flooding.

Yes

In 2019 Anuradhapura district corn farmers were affected by an insect infestation of Fall Armyworms damaging agricultural yields.

Yes

Landslides have become common during the monsoon season in Sri Lanka, as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops like tea and rubber. In May 2017, a significant landslide killed more than 100 people in the centre of the island.

No

Yes

The most recent Tsunami hit Sri Lanka in 2004, it caused widespread destruction around the coastal belts of Sri Lanka, where more than 35,000 people lost their lives, and thousands were left homeless. Think Hazard classifies the tsunami hazard risk as medium.  

No

Yes

Vulnerable to cyclones and storms due to its position near the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Cyclone storm Raonu impacted Sri Lanka in 2016 causing major flooding and over 200 deaths more recently in 2020 25,000 people were displaced due to storms which often cause significant damage due to landslides and flooding.

N/A

No

In May 18, 2009, Colombo declared the end of the 26-year civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers.

No

Yes

Seasonal natural hazards often cause temporary displacement only.

No

Yes

The National Mine Action Strategy 2016-2020 targets a mine free Sri Lanka in 2020. Updated agreements now target a 2025 mine free Sri Lanka.

https://www.slnmac.gov.lk/

From (May-July) and (October-December)

Excessive rains may significantly increase travel time on highways and major roads.

Y From (May-July) and (October-December)

Excessive rains may damage secondary roads to the degree of impassability.

From (May-July) and (October-December)

Rains often negatively impact the punctuality of trains with trains tracks prone to landslides during the monsoon seasons.

From (May-July) and (October-December)

While air transport may be grounded during storm, most air transport options resume quickly and can be used to transport goods in affected areas.

Jan-Dec

The GoSL (Government of Sri Lanka) Food Commissioner’s Department manages the majority of storage units across the country. Across Sri Lanka, there is very limited public storage facilities to accommodate storage of goods, especially for perishable items. Private storage facilities (Temperature Controlled Warehousing) are available.

Over the monsoon season extra precautions are required to avoid water damage to commodities. During the hot season commodities can be spoiled due to high temperatures or/and high humidity.

Jan-Dec

There are no reported seasonal effects on commodity handling activities, other than loading and offloading exercises during heavy monsoon rains, which can persist for two to three days uninterrupted.

There is a potential need to pre-stock commodities due to potential constraints of transport and handling operations due to rain or non-availability of transport.

There is significant wastage of heat sensitive commodities due to lack of temperature-controlled warehouses.

Responsible to communicate and share information with foreign embassies, UN and international NGOs. Confirmation of projects under the external budget/aid, Facilitate/ issue of emergency visas.

The Ministry of Defense has oversight of the Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Ministry. The State Ministry oversees its four institutions: All District and Divisional Secretariats, Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Department of Meteorology, National Building Research Organization (NBRO) and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC). 

The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) perform an integral role in disaster management and response: by maintaining security, search and rescue, evacuation of victims, setup of shelters for IDPs (internally displaced persons), dead body management, support of emergency medical care, debris removal and clearing of roads and distribution of relief goods by road, water and air. 

Focal point of the security forces is permanently deployed at DMC for emergency coordination. 

This is an Apex body for the disaster management in Sri Lanka which take policy decisions on disaster management and oversees implementation of the 2005 Disaster Management Act.

DMC is a coordination and implementation arm for the national council.

Emergency coordination at national and Sub-national levels,  72hr needs assessment & review of eligible beneficiaries, strategic contingency planning, coordination of Relief, Monitoring & Evaluation.

Main focal point of the HCT during emergencies.

Weather Forecasting and aviation forecast for international and domestic flight, provide early warning for weather related hazards and tsunami early warning conduct research on weather, climate and climate change.

Planning and implementation of relief management activities (Event specific contingency planning with local level stakeholders, Identification of beneficiaries, disaster response to populations affected by disaster).

NBRO is the agency providing advice and mapping on landslide risk management through multiple activities such as conduct awareness, DRR activities, research and early warning.

Responsibilities in relation to macro-economic policies, annual budget and Appropriation Acts, finance and insurance activities, international financial cooperation and directing social security and economic development activities.

This department engaged on social safety net which addresses  poverty, ensure food security at the household level, promote saving habits among low-income family, ensure social equality, to provide social security to poor and micro financing.

The PMS (Project Management System) provides coordination with all line agencies, donors, World Food Programme, partners and related stake holders on national policies, decisions of the government on policy changes, project approvals, funds transfers, reports and ensure that the projects are implemented according to the LOU (Letter of Understanding).

This ministry support during post disaster to provide input subsidies to the affected farmers. 

Provide logistics support 

Providing policy guidance to health, hygienic, medicine treatment, establish special clinics through the Department of Health Services based on demand, ensuring physical, mental, social wellness and distribution of nutritious supplements, conduct health awareness, health hazard preventive measures etc. Monitoring the food quality.

Provide policy guidance to use the school infra structure during the emergencies.

Based on the scale of emergency/disaster, the ministry providing policy guidance in relation to the subject of Foreign, implementation of projects under the external budget/aid, Facilitate for issue of visas etc.

District and divisional coordination and take lead role in implementation of the policy guidance provided by the Government.