Secretary to the President directs establishment of Special Emergency Response Task Force under Colombo Municipal Council

The Colombo Municipal Council held a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to address the issue of flash floods, which were caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall of approximately 129 mm within one hour. Due to the drainage system being designed to withstand only 30 mm of rainfall per hour, a special task force was established under the leadership of the Colombo Municipal Council, with the involvement of the Tri-Forces, Police, and relevant institutions.

The task force was chaired by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, who led discussions on immediate measures to respond to such emergencies.

The meeting highlighted the need to upgrade the existing drainage system, as it had been obstructed by the indiscriminate disposal of waste, which had clogged several drains and canals. Legal action against those responsible for improper waste disposal was also emphasized. Moreover, unauthorized constructions within the Colombo Municipal Council area were identified as another factor obstructing drainage systems, leading to the need to remove these structures and relocate the affected individuals to suitable alternative locations.

Public awareness about proper waste disposal and maintaining clean waterways was stressed as crucial in preventing future flooding incidents. The meeting gathered various government officials, including the Mayor of Colombo, Russell Aponso, engineers from relevant institutions, and senior officers of the Tri-Forces and Police. The discussions aimed to develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans to address the drainage issues and mitigate the impact of sudden flooding in Colombo.