December 09, Colombo (LNW): The national disaster management committee appointed by the President is set to reconvene tomorrow (10) for the second day running, as authorities work to streamline the flow of international assistance reaching those hit hardest by the recent catastrophe.
The eight-member body, led by Deputy Defence Minister and retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, has been tasked with overseeing how foreign aid is received, organised, and distributed. Officials say the committee’s mandate is to ensure transparency, efficiency, and proper oversight as donations continue to arrive from abroad.
Deputy Minister Jayasekara noted that both the public and diplomatic representatives will soon be briefed on the formal procedures for channelling relief items. He stressed that the Ministry of Defence would provide guidance throughout the process to avoid irregularities and ensure that supplies reach those in genuine need without unnecessary delays or waste.
The committee is working closely with the Disaster Management Centre and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre, with both agencies feeding in operational support and field-level information. According to Jayasekara, distribution will proceed strictly on the basis of verified requests from Divisional and District Secretariats, as well as reports submitted by Grama Niladhari Officers in affected communities.
Authorities say the renewed meeting is intended to fine-tune coordination mechanisms as the scale of assistance grows, ensuring that relief efforts remain orderly, accountable, and responsive to local realities.
