• DMC DG calls for State institutions and public to act responsibly during disasters
• Criticises State stakeholder unpreparedness and inefficiently
• Reminds State and community that preparedness and response requires a holistic approach
• Says agency is short staffed and under funded

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday (1 December) urged public institutions and the general public to act responsibly during hazardous times to minimise the adverse effects of natural disasters, threatening legal action against those who act irresponsibly.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday, DMC Director General, Major General (Retired) Udaya Herath emphasised that disaster management is a collective effort requiring active participation from all sectors.

Herath criticised the lack of visionary plans and inefficiencies within certain public institutions, which he claimed have hindered the disaster management mechanisms implemented by the DMC.

"We are working with three institutional layers. We act as the coordinating body in this process. The implementation is mostly in the hands of relevant public institutions. They must do their best if we want to make this process efficient and productive," he said.

He further pointed out that institutions involved in urban development, town and country planning, and regional administration, including district secretariats, must prioritise sustainable development practices. 

“New establishments and settlements should be planned with caution to avoid exacerbating natural disasters. Unfortunately, insufficient attention to these factors continues to worsen the situation,” said Herath.

He also stressed that every citizen and organisation must take responsibility for implementing disaster management strategies to mitigate risks effectively. Herath also highlighted institutional issues affecting disaster management efforts, including staff shortages and inadequate salaries. “There is a staff shortage of around 70 officers. As many issues such as lack of salaries, some people are leaving the public service. These challenges have hampered our efficiency, but the situation has improved following recent crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic downturn,” he noted. 

The Director General further warned that the Government is prepared to take legal action against those who act irresponsibly and contribute to disaster-related crises. “Until people take individual responsibility to prevent disasters, the Government will continue to face significant economic losses, including a substantial impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Otherwise, we will have to repeat the process of giving compensations to the victims which is a burden to the economy,” he added.