There are many kinds of disasters taking place in the globe such as coastal erosion, tidal waves, floods, soil erosion, increased storm intensity, species migration, fire and explosions which can be damaged to human lives as well as cultural heritage. A significant number of human lives and cultural heritage destroy due to unavailability of effective early warning dissemination system. Therefore, disaster prone countries should take preventive measures to minimize the damages created by natural disasters. Human actions are causing greater change in climate and that will have a significant adverse impact on the cultural heritage. Many historic cultural sites are likely at risk from direct impact of human actions. It is prudent to take sound action to protect world heritage from natural or man–made causes, as it destroys both cultural property and the people. It is our collective responsibility to protect our heritage for present and future generations. This paper describes the natural and man-made disasters and mitigation measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to build strong community.

1. Cultural Heritage and
Disaster Risk Reduction
Case Studies from Sri Lanka
Kamani Perera
Regional Centre for Strategic Studies
Sri Lanka
K_vithana@yahoo.com; kvithana@gmail.com

2. Coverage
• Introduction
• Frequent Disasters
• New Technology use for Disaster
Management
• Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Role of Media
• Coastal Communities in Sri Lanka
• Training Programs for Community
Awareness
• Natural and Human – made
Disasters – Evidences from Sri Lanka

3. Introduction
What is Disaster?
• Serious disruption
• Human losses
• Property losses
• Environment losses
How to Mitigate
Disasters?
• Preventive
measures
• Awareness
programs
• Training for DRR
http://practicalaction.org/disaster-risk-reduction-old/

4. • Floods
Frequent Disasters
in Sri Lanka
• Droughts
• Cyclones
• Landslides
• Coastal erosions
http://redcross.lk/news/red-cross-continues-to-help-familiesdevastated-by-floods/

5. New Technology use for Disaster Management
• Remote sensing system
• Geographical information
system
• Global positioning system
• Warning and forecasting
system
• Internet
• Communication
technology

6. Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
Vision
• Disaster risk management for safer communities and
sustainable development
Broad Mission
• Create a culture of safety among communities and the nation
• Systematic management of natural, technological and manmade disaster risks
How they protect the community?
• Early warning system
• Effective communication system
• Awareness programs such as disaster preparedness,
evacuation and rescue

7. Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
Tools used for Early Warning System
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Telephones
Radio
TV channels
Mobile phone networks
Police and military communication systems
Disaster Risk Reduction
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Hazard Mapping and Risk Assessment
Information and Data Collection
Research and Analysis
Building Technology
DMC Website
Long term Disaster Risk Reduction
Specific risk reduction projects to reduce specific identified risks that
can cause future disasters
• DRR integration in Development
• Long-term action planning

8. Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
Early Warning
• Have systems in place for receiving forecasting and early
warning
• Forecasting of impending disasters
Early warning and Dissemination
Emergency Operations in Case of a Disaster
• Establishment of National Emergency Operation Centre
• Establishment of Emergency Operation Rooms at provincial,
district and divisional levels
• Carrying out Emergency Operations, coordinating with armed
forces, police and other related agencies at national and all
sub levels

9. Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
How to Educate Social Community on DRR?
• Informal Education
• Formal Education
Informal Education
• Dissemination of written materials
• Creative educational materials
• Culture and performing arts
• After school safety clubs, scouting badges and project
activities
• Public awareness through posters, manuals, calendars,
leaflets, arts and drama

10. Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka
Formal Education
• School curriculum
• University education (undergraduate/postgraduate courses)
•
Information network
• Annual media award
• TV Regular program on DRR
• Establishing DRR centers regional basis (DMC, SL)

11. Role of Media
• Make awareness among
larger community
• Stimulate more
participation activities
• Share information on DRR
• Communicate more
effectively via social media
tools – e.g. Facebook,
Twitter, Messenger, Skype
etc.
• Facilitate to access
pictures, sounds etc.
http://irevolution.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/social-mediaemergency-lg.jpg

12. Coastal Communities in Sri Lanka
• Major income – coastal fisheries
• Vulnerable to the resource
conditions
• Highly depending on natural
resources
Development Activities
• Defining the target area
• Community entry and
integration
• Assessment of resources, needs
and opportunities
• Education and capacity
development
• Rehabilitation plan
• Long-term sustainability plan
• Adaptive learning through
monitoring and evaluation
http://www.fisheriesdept.gov.lk/vision_english
.html

13. Training Programs for Community Awareness
Points to be considered
• Emphasize the importance of participation e.g. especially
women for training programs
• Discuss important steps
• Give strengthen to keep positive mind sets
• Teach simple way. Use informal community language.
Community language is easy to
• understand for particular community
• Give examples, successful stories, successful survivors
regionally and globally
• Check whether the whole community is trained well. Repeat if
needed
• Be friendly. Let them to ask questions. Do rehearsals

14. Natural Disasters
Disasters such as coastal erosion, tidal
waves, floods, soil erosion, increased
storm intensity, species migration,
fire and explosions which can be
damaged to human lives as well as
cultural heritage.
Case Studies – natural
• Tsunami 2004
• Cyclone no name 2013
• Floods 2013 (natural/man-made)
Galle Bus Station
After Tsunami 2004
26 December
http://www.ukfgsrilanka.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/tsunamidevastation/ttsunami.jpg
http://pcolman.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/sri-lankaescapes-tsunami-april-11-2012/

15. Conclusion
Human-made disasters
Disasters that created by man
purposely or accidently (due to
lack of awareness or knowledge)
by way of accidents, negligence,
human design etc. which make
significant damage to livelihoods
and cultural heritage.
Case Studies – human made
• Bomb attack to sacred Tooth
Relic Temple of Lord Buddha
After the Bomb Attack
1998 January
http://www.umarlankatours.com/sacred-temple-of-the-toothkandy.html
http://www.defence.lk/LTTE/20110520MOT.asp