The United National Party (UNP) condemned the government for not implementing the National Disaster Management Plan during severe flooding, highlighting missed early warning alerts and a public holiday on November 28 that delayed emergency operations.
Issuing a statement today (02), the UNP said the National Disaster Management Plan 2023-2030, approved by the Cabinet in February 2024, outlines clear procedures for coordinating with technical agencies, issuing early warnings, and disseminating critical information to vulnerable communities.
“Under the Plan, the Disaster Management Council is required to coordinate with forecasting agencies, issue timely alerts, and create public awareness on emergency response and evacuation,” the statement said.
However, the UNP claimed that these measures were not activated during the critical period of November 27, when early warnings should have been disseminated.
The statement also highlighted that November 28, identified as a crucial day for emergency operations, was declared a public holiday, further impeding the activation of the Plan’s last-mile warning dissemination system.
The UNP highlighted that the failure to act contravenes Sections 11 and 12 of the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005, which empowers the President to declare a state of disaster.
“The Disaster Management Act was never put into operation,” the party said.
Citing Supreme Court rulings related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the UNP added that government inaction resulting in harm to citizens may constitute a constitutional tort.
“When executive action or inaction infringes the fundamental right to life, resulting in harm or loss, it is actionable as a constitutional tort ,” the statement said.
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