Defence Committee Leads Cyclone Relief Under Strong Oversight

The High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid Coordination (HL-FRAC), chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), met at the Parliament Complex on 8 January to review ongoing relief operations for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The discussion focused on rolling out aid efficiently, addressing logistical and administrative challenges, and strengthening storage and supply chain arrangements.

Feedback from field visits in Kandy, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya was assessed, alongside progress on the Inventory Management System to enhance transparency, traceability, and real-time monitoring. Relief assistance from 22 foreign countries and the World Food Programme — including food, medical supplies, technical equipment, engineering tools, and vehicles — continues to be distributed through the NDRSC. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to responsible, equitable, and needs-based management of all foreign aid.

Participants included Committee members, senior officials from the DMC and NDRSC, the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence, the Presidential Secretariat, and Sri Lanka Customs.