About the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights
Scope of activities of the Ministry
The Cabinet Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights was established in terms of the gazette notification issued on 20th of February 2006. The Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe was appointed as the first Minister of this new Ministry by His Excellency the President and the subjects assigned to the Ministry are as follows:
- Planning & Implementation of policies on mitigation and prevention of Disasters and creating a realistic approach to responses and recovery
- Formulation of National Disaster Management Plan based on the National Policy
- Administration and operation of the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005
- Initiate and co-ordination of foreign aided projects for Disaster Mitigation Response and Recovery
- Liaising with of Ministries, State Authorities & Agencies, Private Sector Agencies, Non Governmental Organizations and International Non Governmental Organizations and all other relevant Agencies to ensure timely execution of such responsibility
- Co-ordination and Management and Relief Activities pertaining to Natural and man-made Disasters
- Coordinating awareness programmes on Natural and Man-made Disasters
- Early Warning Systems
- Supervision of the Activities of NGOs and social welfare Voluntary Agencies in relation to provisions of relief and promotion of human rights
- Facilitation of and assistance to Non Governmental Organizations and social welfare Voluntary Agencies in the fields of Disaster Management and Human Rights.
- Promotion of Human Rights
- Co-ordination of activities with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right's bodies and other International and Regional Human Rights Institutions.
- Meteorological Surveys and Research
In addition to the functions listed above this Ministry was entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating activities related to Internally Displaced People in the North and East since June 2006, by HE the President. Maximum contribution is provided for a better co-ordination with government organizations and non governmental organizations which provide relief to refugees and specially to build a close relationships with the International Community.
