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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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Book on disaster preparedness in Sinhala launched by Ambalangoda Special Correspondent. "Disaster Preparedness" is more important than providing relief, just after a disaster. Unfortunately, disaster preparedness and disaster management were paid a scanty attention in Sri Lanka until the natural disaster of tsunami hit Sri Lanka, said Prabath Patabendi, addressing a meeting held at Hikkaduwa Maha Maya Girls College, following the launching of his book on "Disaster Preparedness". He said, he compiled this book on Disaster Preparedness on Scientific information presented on Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management at numerous International Forums, held in Europe, America and South Asia. In addition, he had visited the countries devastated by natural disasters and gathered information both from the survivors and scientists of the relevant fields, he said. During his visits to these countries affected by Natural Disasters, he said he could study how these communities were prepared, to overcome future disasters. The aim of writing this book in simple Sinhala Language devoid of highly technical words, was to give an awareness on disasters and the importance of preparedness in future disasters, for the general public, specially living in disaster prone areas, he said. Explaining the difference between 'Hazards and Disasters', he said that the world was full of 'Hazards' but these hazards. Could lead to disasters, if they affected the human beings, environment and agriculture. For 'Nicoba' islanders, tsunami last year was just a hazard and it was not a 'disaster' for them, as they escaped. Speaking on various 'hazards' he said, 'Motor Accidents", "Cancer", "war", "homicides", "Drug Addiction", "Drunkenness", "Suicides", "Negative Ideas", "AIDS" and "Household Accidents" could be identified as 'disasters' affecting the communities living in Sri Lanka.During the seminar following the launching of his book, he explained the natural signals that could be observed prior to a tsunami. "Sudden increase or decrease of wave speed", 'receding the sea exposing the sea-bed', and the sound similar to arrival of a train' (if at night), 'panicky flying of birds' and the "barking of dogs", wers some of the signs of an oncoming tsunami, he further said. In addition to tsunami, he explained other disasters and how to be prepared to face them, in future.Chief Incumbent of Nindana Dharmendarama Temple, Ven. Polwatte Wansika Thera was also among the speakers. A playground rebuilt by the Institute of Human Development and Training
was commissioned on this day for the benefit of the primary schoolchildren
of Maha Maya Girls College. |
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