The proposed policy will help to train people with necessary knowledge to reduce the effect of the disaster, conduct emergency missions, search operations, rescue operations, providing relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in response to a question raised by UNP MP S. M. Marikkar during the “Aske the Prime Minister” session explained the Parliament the urgent requirement to have a better and effective system in place to face disaster situations.

“I have discussed the with Minister of Disaster Management evaluating he technology and the equipment we have with us in case of a disaster. We need to occupy new technology and knowledge. Due attention was also made at systematic method to face a disaster situation,” said Wickremesinghe.

In the absence of a proper channel of communication disaster management has become a key issue, according to the Prime Minister. “Our attention was given at system to provide correct information during a disaster. Certain media establishments continued to provide news, which worsened the public life. We saw the same during the recent Salawa incident. Irresponsible news leads to deteriorate the situation. So, we will employ latest technology during a disaster,” he said. (AH)