Colombo: In a landmark event, the info-NDRSC Disaster Data System was launched on Tuesday (March 24) at the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). This new facility will enable digitalizing the present routine process of collecting and releasing statistical data on families affected and damaged properties by natural disasters in the country.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the system is developed in line with the National Statistics Development Programme of the Department of Census and Statistics, adhering to data and information standardization and verification methodologies. It will facilitate data entry through all Grama Niladhari Division levels. The event also saw the launching of the quarterly official newsletter, ‘info-NDRSC’, which provides information on disasters and disaster relief services.

The development of the info-NDRSC database was supported financially by ‘Save the Children’ and techn
ically by ‘GIS Solutions (Pvt) Ltd’. The inauguration of the new data system for the National Disaster Relief Services Center, under the Ministry of Defence, aligns with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national program and the digitalization of public services offered by the government. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management Division and Director Generals from various departments, along with 485 Disaster Relief Services Officers who participated online.