President presides special ministerial discussion on drought relief

A special discussion was held at the President’s Official Residence yesterday under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, to look into the preparations at Ministerial level to provide essential reliefs to the public during the impending drought situation in Sri Lanka. 

The President has given instructions to appoint a special committee comprising Secretaries of the Ministries of Power and Energy, Mahaweli and Water Supply, to make quick decisions in the process of providing relief to the people minimizing the difficulties.

During the meeting, programs already in existence and future work plans launched by respective ministries to face the impending drought situation were discussed in detail. Further discussions were held regarding the steps that should be taken to protect water resources to minimise disaster situations.

President Sirisena also instructed officials to implement a program to reconstruct tanks with no water, and pointed out the importance of apprising the public regarding the protection of water sources and proper use of the water.

Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajanth, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya,Duminda Disanayake, Laxman Yapa Abeywardena, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Secretaries of the Ministries and other officials participated in this discussion.