Sri Lanka will conduct a comprehensive tsunami mock exercise across the island on November 5 as part of efforts to strengthen disaster readiness, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) announced.
DMC Director General Major General (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda said preparations are already underway, noting that several minor earthquakes have recently been recorded near the Sumatra Trench — a region known for triggering major seismic activity.
He made the remarks during a meeting on tsunami preparedness with representatives from the Tri-Forces, Police, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
The exercise is part of a regional initiative involving 28 member countries of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC). Key drills will take place in the Kalutara, Matara, Jaffna, and Batticaloa districts, with other regions also participating to ensure nationwide readiness.
Major General Kotuwegoda stressed the importance of preparedness, cautioning that an earthquake exceeding 6.5 magnitude near the Sumatra Trench could pose a tsunami threat to Sri Lanka.
He added that coordinated emergency planning and community awareness are crucial for safeguarding lives in the event of a natural disaster of this scale.
