Priority for disaster mitigation rather than relief - Minister Mahinda Amaraweera

Disaster has been one of the most discussed issues as the country experienced numerous flood situations during the year. Disaster mitigation therefore has come to the fore as Sri Lanka become more vulnerable to disasters.

The new Cabinet Minister in charge of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera says that his Ministry will focus more on disaster mitigation rather than planning to provide relief for flood victims

In an interview with the Sunday Observer the Minister said that his Ministry has decided to celebrate National Safety Day in Jaffna on December 26, to give the message to the Northern people that the Government is ready to treat them also equally.

He also emphasised the fact that a comprehensive dialogue is needed to prepare the country to face the challenges of global climatic change as it would affect the country. Minister Amaraweera also said that people should be properly educated on disaster mitigation measures when constructing buildings in landslide prone areas.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

By Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Q: This year we experienced severe floods. What are the causes and what can be done to mitigate flood threat in the future?

A: Currently we are focusing very much on providing relief in the form of cooked meals and dry rations to the people affected from floods or any other disaster. We are spending huge sums to compensate for those who were killed in disasters and to repair their damaged houses after floods or whatever the disaster. What we are going to focus on in the future is different from this. I have instructed my officials to explore the possibilities of saving a part of the fund allocated, to provide assistance to flood victims by taking measures to mitigate those disasters.

We are preparing for the next five years. For example the root cause for flash floods in some areas is due to blockades in canals and rivers and other waterways. We lay emphasis on clearing all those blockades in waterways to mitigate floods. When we analysed the situation we found that every year we are providing relief to the same set of people when they are hit by floods because most of them are living in low lying areas. So we have to think afresh whether to provide them assistance once affected by floods or to resettle them in areas which will not be affected by floods.

Less attention has been given to construct flood proof buildings when constructing in low lying areas. In the future we will give more emphasis on these lines when thinking of ways of mitigating future disasters.

Q: There are lessons that can be learnt in the aftermath of any disaster. What are the lessons you have learnt from the recent floods?

A: There are problems relating to the equal distribution of government assistance for flood victims. When flood victims are not getting cooked meals and dry rations in time they put the blame directly on the Government. To provide that relief we have allocated adequate funds through the Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries. But there are problems. We have seen that some people do not receiving those assistance at all whilst some get more than what they need. Therefore, we have decided to send representatives of the Disaster Management Ministry to the District Coordinating Committees. I have instructed the Ministry Secretary to get the participation of representatives from the Disaster Management Centre and the Disaster Relief Board at the District Coordinating Committees. At this meeting they can meet the government officials and political authorities in the districts. Problems can be settled at these meetings. Discrepancies in the mechanism of assisting flood victims and also the Government and Disaster Management Ministry getting the blame can then be avoided.

Q: December 26 is National Safety Day and also the anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. What is the significance of having this year's Safety Day celebrations in Jaffna?

A: For the convenience of officials and politicians we used to celebrate this event in areas convenient to us. Today we are living in a united country unlike in the past. For us there is no difference be it North, South, East or West in the country. People in the North, from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu also faced similar calamities like the people in the South. Disasters have no boundaries. When disasters happen it affects the entire country. When people in the North were affected by floods we took initiatives to help them giving equal treatment to all. As a country we cannot work targeting only one community. We have to treat all communities equally. We have organised many programs to mark this year's National Safety Day. By organising these events in Jaffna under the patronage of the President and with the participation of the Prime Minister we are giving this message to the people in the North.

Q: On December 26 we also mark the sixth anniversary of the tsunami. What is the position of the tsunami affected people? Have they fully recovered from the tragedy?

A: One of the bold decisions taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the aftermath of the tsunami was to turn that tragedy into a blessing for the country. The tsunami caused devastating damage to the country and it was a very bad experience we have been able to built almost all things lost in the tsunami except the lives lost. We have given the benefit to the people.

We initiated huge development drive in the country by making use of the funds given from various nations and organisations. We turned that misfortune to a blessing for the country. We were able to construct fisheries harbours, establish road networks, provide drinking water, electricity and construct houses, hospitals, schools, government buildings and various other facilities by managing the funds we received as grants.

Q: How prepared are we to face another tsunami, earthquake or similar disaster?

A: Before the tsunami we did not have an early warning system in the country. Now we have established early warning systems in coastal areas. We have this system in the Southern and Western coasts. They are not available in the North and Eastern coasts due to the war situation that prevailed in those areas. We have decided to have these early warning towers to be informed of tsunamis and earthquakes in the North and East also. We will have them in the next year itself.

Institutions like the Meteorological Department work closely with international organisations to obtain early warnings at international level so that we can minimise the number of people affected from these disasters.

Q: What can be done to identify disaster prone areas beforehand so that lives and property can be saved?

A: If our country is hit by another tsunami the coastal belt will be affected again, despite taking steps to control resettlement in the coastal belt imposing various laws. People in the coastal belt want to live close to the sea. We had taken steps to mitigate the disaster by giving specific instructions to have tsunami proof buildings. By installing early warning systems we will be able to minimise the number of deaths.

We have identified that the people who are affected from floods each year are the same. Many of these people live in unauthorised structures and low lying areas. So we are not in a position to help them when they are affected from disasters. The Government is also facing a difficult situation due to this. Therefore, we decided to remove the people who live in unauthorised structures, reservations of canals and other reservoirs.

The Disaster Management Ministry and Urban Development Authority under the Defence Secretary are taking adequate measures to resettle these people out of the disaster prone areas.

Unfortunately, when continuing with the process of removing unauthorised structures many politicians try to stop it. The Opposition comes out with allegations when the government takes steps to remove unauthorised structures and preserve reservation lands along the canals and water retention areas. Some politicians back these people for political advantage. This is a very sad situation. We are determined to go ahead with this program and salvage these people from these disasters by providing them with better alternatives.

Q: There are predictions that Sri Lanka will be affected due to global climatic changes. What sort of program do you propose to prepare the country to face such a situation?

A: Some of our lands will be covered by the sea if the sea level rises due to global warming. We need to have comprehensive dialogue on these issues. We have not yet discussed these issues. The time is ripe to have a comprehensive dialogue. We have decided to work along with other Ministries to prepare the country towards facing such a scenario that is going to affect the entire globe.

Q: Problems have arisen when assisting flood victims now resettled in earlier war affected areas. In some instances, government mechanism is not present in those areas. How will you tackle this situation?

A: Our officers have not been appointed for some areas. There is no difference between the North - East and the rest of the country. Anyone can work at any place in the country. I have instructed to fill vacancies in those areas with immediate effect. We have put a special condition to recruit qualified people from the relevant areas itself so that they can serve their own areas.

Q: We had enough floods this year. There are predictions that the country will face a drought situation. What is the exact situation?

A: There is a positive side to heavy rains. Hydropower generation increases during the rainy season. We can save billions of rupees spent for thermal power during this period.

The Irrigation Department also benefits from high rainfall. They can provide water for paddy and other cultivations. I am sure we will receive the biggest paddy harvest at the next season if there is no major problem.

The entire country will have to face a disastrous situation in a drought scenario as power generation, cultivations, water supply and services will be badly hit. Therefore, we must focus our attention to face such a calamity.

We must strengthen our tank systems by repairing bunds to store enough water. Discussions with the Economic Development Ministry are in progress. We are also creating a small tank system called Pathaha in districts like Moneragala. We are also promoting a drift irrigation system to use water sparingly. We are also promoting rain water harvesting to encourage collection of rain water. If we collect rain water we could avoid major flood situations and save a lot of money.

Q: Haphazard construction and development is a major contributing factor. What measures can the Ministry take?

A: The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) under my Ministry is looking after the areas where land slides take place. They conduct research and investigate. During the rainy season in districts like Kurunegala, Kandy and Ratnapura a number of land slides were reported. In Kandy I saw a place in which a five storied building had vanished without a trace. We found that though millions of rupees were spent on construction they did not have get even a soil test from the NBRO, before construction. People are not aware of the NBRO and about the tests they have to do before constructing buildings in landslide prone areas. NBRO was instructed to educate the people on these issues.

Constructions in land slide prone areas without prior approval from the NBRO is not allowed. Provincial Councils and Local Authorities will not approve plans for buildings in these areas without approval from NBRO.

Q: How do you plan to get the support of the Provincial Councils and Local Government bodies in the process of disaster mitigation?

A: Many Local Government bodies are responsible for creating disaster situations. Just for the sake of obtaining votes they have taken decisions that may lead to disaster situations. They have allowed unauthorised settlements and have provided electricity and water for those unauthorised buildings. We are trying to have discussion with them to stop such situations. We have proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act to keep some powers with our Ministry to take measures on disaster mitigation.

Q: After nearly 20 years in politics you have been given a Cabinet portfolio. Tell us of your achievement?

A: I have gained lot of experience. I have represented all political institutions. I was in Governments as well as in the Opposition. I have also been Deputy Minister and Non Cabinet Minister I have been elevated to this position because of my experience.

I am happy to be here as an experienced politician. I got a mandate as the fifth person to obtain the highest percentage of preferential votes. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed me to the Cabinet placing confidence in me and with a lot of expectations. We have to do our duty to the country to keep upto expectations. My hope is to make this Ministry efficient one which gives maximum benefit to the people with no waste of public funds.