Sri Lanka celebrates National Disaster Safety Day

The Sri Lanka Government has declared 26 December as the National Disaster Safety Day. This day is being commemorated for the first time, this year, to mark and lead the nation in remembering the devastating impacts of the Tsunami. Planned activities at the national level include an address by the President of Sri Lanka, a "Rally" with the police, army, air force and the navy bands and schools with children carrying placards with disaster safety messages. Several awards will be given for media reporting on disasters and school awards. Essay and art competitions for different age categories are other highlights. There will also be demonstrations on 'Search and Rescue" by the police, army and the fire brigade.

District level activities includes banner displays at District Secretariat, Provincial Councils, Municipalities and Local Government Authorities, Multi-religious activities at District Secretariat, Provincial Councils, and also tree planting campaigns along the coastal belt. Village level activities will be conducted in collaboration with NYSC and Samurdhi Authority and will include multi religious activities and tree planting campaigns.

Extensive campaigns leading to the National Disaster Safety day has also been planned, which includes newspaper supplements on themes relevant to disaster management, television and radio discussions centered on disaster management including some by school children. The National Awards for Excellence in Disaster Reporting for January 2005 to October 2006, will also be announced on the National Disaster Safety Day.