United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche met Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence to discuss continued UN support for Sri Lanka’s disaster response and recovery efforts.

The discussions focused on the UN’s assistance following Cyclone Ditwah, including support provided under the Humanitarian Priorities Plan, as well as future measures to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The two sides also reviewed key lessons from the cyclone response, highlighting the need to improve impact-based early warning systems, inter-agency coordination, equitable relief distribution, local preparedness and disaster management mechanisms.

The potential impacts of El Niño, including climate-related risks, water scarcity and associated socio-economic challenges, were also discussed.

Franche reiterated the UN’s readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response efforts, particularly in strengthening resilience to climate and weather-related hazards, according to the Defence Ministry.

Defence Secretary Thuyacontha appreciated the UN’s continued cooperation and stressed the importance of further strengthening collaboration in disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilience building.

Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd) and DMC Director of Preparedness and Planning Chathura Liyanarachchi also attended the meeting.