Authorities steps up coastal preparedness through Tsunami Ready Programme

In a bid to safeguard vulnerable coastal populations from ocean-based natural disasters, Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up preparedness efforts through the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme. The inaugural session of the National Tsunami Ready Board (NTRB) took place at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) headquarters in Colombo.

The programme focuses on creating resilient coastal communities by establishing rigorous disaster readiness indicators, such as updated hazard inundation maps, reliable warning communication channels, and demarcated evacuation routes. Key government agencies, oceanographic experts, and local administrators participated in the launch.

Officials emphasized that while twenty-two years have passed since the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, maintaining institutional memory and operational vigilance remains vital. Regular drills and coastal community education workshops will be conducted across coastal districts in the coming months.

The board will supervise the accreditation of pilot coastal villages meeting international tsunami preparedness guidelines. Successful implementation will allow Sri Lanka to showcase model coastal communities compliant with global United Nations disaster risk reduction benchmarks.