Progress Review Meeting for the Appointment of Multi Stakeholder Committee to Formulate National Mechanism for Drowning Prevention and Lifesaving

A progress review meeting for the formulation of a comprehensive National Mechanism for Drowning Prevention and Lifesaving was convened yesterday (24 Jul) at the Parliament Complex as a follow up to the previous high level discussion on the initiative. The meeting focused on strengthening inter agency collaboration to establish a coordinated national framework aimed at reducing water related fatalities and enhancing public safety across Sri Lanka.

The progress review meeting was co chaired by Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, and Hon. Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Dinindu Saman Hennayake.

Opening the session, the Deputy Minister of Defence briefed the gathering on the outcomes of the previous meeting and outlined the progress made thus far. He emphasized that the increasing number of water related fatalities is not merely a social concern but a significant public safety and national security issue. Highlighting the urgent need for a structured and coordinated response, he noted that the absence of a robust national safety mechanism continues to pose a serious risk to the country and stressed the importance of developing an effective, sustainable and multi sectoral approach to drowning prevention.

During the deliberations, the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education proposed integrating water safety education into the national school curriculum to cultivate awareness and preparedness among students from an early age. He noted that embedding water safety knowledge within the education system would help in fostering a lifelong culture of prevention and responsible behaviour around in inland and beach fronts.

The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs emphasized the vital role that young people can play in supporting national efforts to prevent drowning. He proposed mobilizing youth through structured training programs to develop a skilled volunteer network capable of complementing professional lifesaving services.

The meeting brought together senior government officials, security sector representatives and subject matter experts, who exchanged views and presented recommendations on their respective roles and responsibilities within the proposed national mechanism. Following extensive discussions, it was decided to establish a multi stakeholder committee, headed by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, with representation from all relevant stakeholder institutions. The committee has been tasked with formulating a practical, effective and sustainable National Mechanism for Drowning Prevention and Lifesaving for implementation at the national level.

Among those present were the Chiefs of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, the Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the Director General of the Civil Security Department (CSD), senior officials from the Ministries of Defence, Health, Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, and Tourism, as well as representatives from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Life Saving Association (SLLSA).

Courtesy : www.defence.lk