COLOMBO (News 1^st) – Over 500 lives were lost in the floods in 2016 to 2017. With ever-changing weather patterns, proper preparedness could save lives. With this in mind, Gammadda partnered up the Asia Pacific Alliance For Disaster Management along with several private organizations, the police, and authorities to conduct awareness workshops in high-risk areas.

Six workshops were held today (May 5) in the Ratnapura and Matara Districts.

The first workshop in the Ratnapura district took place in the Elapatha Area where the Police Life Saving Unit elaborated to the locals who gathered to the Dimiyawa Community Hall on how to save a person who is drowning,  locals were given a first-hand practical training in this rescue methods as well. Moreover, Gammadda team members together with the resource personnel from the Asia Pacific Alliance For Disaster Management raised awareness among the locals as well.

The second program took place in the Badugedara in the Ratnapura district. The Nations Trust Bank bank joined in raising awareness among the locals and educated them on a number of aspects including on what measures need to be taken to restore bank documents destroyed by floods. The locals applauded the insight given by personnel from John Keells Holdings on returning their lives and business to normalcy following a natural disaster.

The Assistant Divisional Secretariat of Ratnapura, The Ratnapura Police, The Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariat, the Elapatha Divisional Secretariat and a number of Public Institutions rendered an insurmountable support towards the awareness program in the Ratnapura District. The Police Life Saving Unit and the Ratnapura Volunteer Life Saving Unit stepped forward to share their expertise in saving lives.

Group Director of The Capital Maharaja Organization Limited, Chevaan Daniels speaking at the event said Gammadda is something that goes beyond any role and is done voluntarily. He stated that the people are well aware of how the Gammadda Concept has spread far and wide across the country adding that Gammadda has become a part of the fabric of rural Sri Lanka.

The third program in the Ratnapura District took place this evening at the Marapana Shasthrodaya Pirivena.

Awareness programs took place today (May 5) at three separate locations in the Matara District as well. The first was this morning at the Siriwardhanarama Temple in Kathduwa, Matara.

OIC of the Malimbada Police, P.K.C. Jayawickrama speaking at the program pointed out an incident where a two-story house was submerged, the occupants did not leave the house and they had to reach them by boat and force them to leave the house.

Further, he stated that through these programs, they need to focus on saving lives leaving aside the age-old attitudes.

The Second program took place at the Pushparama Temple in Makandura. Gammadda together with the Asia Pacific Alliance For Disaster Management raised awareness among the people with the assistance of John Keells Holdings and the Police Life Saving Unit.

The third program in the Matara District took place this evening at the Ganegoda Raja Maha Viharaya in Morawaka.

WATCH VIDEO