The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in collaboration with Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) conducted a workshop on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into Local Government Sector in Sri Lanka from 6 – 7 August 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

ADPC team with participants of the workshop.

The workshop was conducted as a concluding activity of the most recent phase of the Priority Implementation Partnership (PIP) for mainstreaming DRR into Sri Lanka’s development. Members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for mainstreaming DRR and CCA into housing sector in Sri Lanka, along with technical officers from Local Government Authorities gathered to improve their knowledge on how to mainstream DRR and CCA into the local government sector, as well as to discuss related tools and entry points for mainstreaming. The workshop was inaugurated with a keynote speech by the Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management of Sri Lanka, Mr. W. M. Bandusena.

During the course of the workshop, participants reviewed the achievements and gaps identified from the PIP project. The workshop resulted in recommendations and a way forward for the TWG and DMC to initiate mainstreaming DRR and CCA into the local government sector. Participants endorsed the need to review the current regulatory framework of the local government sector to find entry points for mainstreaming, such as in the form of statutes at the provincial level, or by-laws at the local government level. It was agreed that the capacity of the local government needed to be better understood and taken into consideration when developing mainstreaming programs. The participants also emphasised the lack of risk information and easily understandable guidelines on how to best apply disaster information at the local level.

The participants agreed that a better understanding of local government's capacities is an important consideration in the development of mainstreaming programs.

Background of the Technical Working Group (TWG):
The TWG was formed in 2008, and the PIP project in Sri Lanka was implemented by DMC with technical support from ADPC, and financial assistance from the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The TWG consists of representatives from key stakeholder government agencies and local government authorities of the housing sector such as the DMC, National Building Research Organisation, National Housing Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department and Urban Councils.