National Disaster Management Centre was established in 1996 under the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare. It came under the Ministry of Disaster Relief Services by the extra ordinary gazette notification No: 1422/22, dated 08/12/2005, in order to plan and implement relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. It was transferred to the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services with renaming as National Disaster Relief Services Center (NDRSC), by the Gazette Notification No: 1482/9 dated 09/01/2007. It functions under the Ministry of Disaster Management with effect from 30/04/2010 with the gazette notification No: 1651/20.

It is located at Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7 and functions under the policy guidance provided by the Hon. Minister and Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management. Projects and programmes are carried out through the respective District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats with the policy guidance given by the Ministry of Disaster Management. Further, Disaster Relief Coordinators function at the district level under the supervision of respective District Secretaries.

Vision

Towards safer Sri Lanka through disaster relief services.

Mission

To protect human life, properties, environment and wild lives from both natural and man-made disasters through awareness, prevention, preparedness, mitigation and coordination.

Objectives

To contribute the national objective of sustainable development through minimized human suffering and loss and damage to the economic infrastructure by promoting and strengthening national capacities for disaster Relief.

Activities

• Implementation of immediate relief measures.

• Provision of Advance payment and compensation for damaged properties.

• Facilitate and monitoring of distribution of drinking water during extreme dry weather conditions.

• Finance and coordinate the resettlement of families affected by landslides and reside in Landslide High Risk areas.

• Enhancement of basic facilities of the centres used as safety locations.

• Preparation of Contingency Plans as a preparedness measure for relief management.

• Raising awareness among Government officials and vulnerable communities.

• Conducting capacity building programs and awareness programs for the relief officers.