22 Division Initiative Alerts Trincomalee District Stakeholders Against Eventual Disaster Management Practices

An initiative launched by the 22 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) enlightened all stakeholders, involved in Disaster Management practices in the event of any eventual occurrence of a disaster or an emergency situation in Trincomalee on Tuesday (25) during a special forum, held at Trincomalee District Secretariat auditorium.

Representative Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Security Department personnel, Disaster Management Officials, Coastal Conservation Officials, Social Service Department Officials and a large gathering of state officials were present at this forum, organized by the 22 Division Headquarters.

Underlining the importance of prior preparedness to meet with any contingency in the Trincomalee district to be in line with the laid down ‘Recommended Practices in Emergencies of Floods and Droughts’, several eminent resource personnel, including Mr K Sugunadasa, Director, Trincomalee District Disaster Management Centre, Mr M.S Nuwan Priyadarshana, Assistant Director, Disaster Management Centre, Mr P.C.S Arunasiri, Meteorologist for Batticaloa District, Mr S Jayaratne, Divisional Secretary for Serunuwara and Major General Aruna Jayasekara, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division, delivered comprehensive lectures to the attendees in the forum with special focus on ‘Occurrence of Eventual Future Disasters & Measures to Mitigate Impacts of Such Emergencies & their Overall Management, etc’.

The forum also educated Army personnel at all Divisions, Brigades and Units for implementation of possible rescue and relief operations in the event of any natural disasters or otherwise in the face of forthcoming monsoon rains.

Officials of Trincomalee District and Divisional Secretariats meanwhile contributed to the sessions, recalling how the state machinery in Trincomalee swept into action and launched rescue and relief operations when devastating floods wreaked havoc in the years 2011 and 2014 with the support of service personnel and other agencies.

Major General Aruna Jayasekara, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division in his address to the occasion highlighted the importance of having an all-time preparedness to face such catastrophes as a well coordinated team of armed personnel and responsible state officials in the future, too.

Towards the end of the day’s arrangement, Major General Jayasekara presented mementos to the contributors in the sessions as symbols of appreciation.