Defence Secretary Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne said a new system would be implemented to identify and manage disasters before they struck to prevent massive damages to properties and human lives.

Assuming duties as the Secretary of the Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Ministry at a function held at the State Ministry today (Aug 26), he said a system in which the defence, military, disaster management and administration were integrated together could create a peaceful environment for people to live.

Major General Gunaratne said under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’, they had a significant role to play covering a wide spectrum of tasks and would work in collaboration with other state sector institutions in achieving the desired objectives.   

Venerable Maha Sanga, State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Provincial Councils and Local Government State Minister Sarath Weerasekara, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Acting Inspector General of Police, Chandana Wickramaratne, Director General Civil Security Department Rear Admiral (Retd) Ananda Peiris, Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority Gen. (Retd) Daya Rathnayake, President MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Chithrani Gunaratne, President Army Seva Vanitha Unit  Sujeewa Nelson and State Ministry officials were present at the occasion.