The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera – Acting Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, during today’s debate on the Second Reading of the National Building Research Institute Bill, many important points were raised. For four decades the National Building Research Organization has contributed in various ways to disaster management. Its recommendations—especially on landslides—have sometimes not been heeded properly by local authorities. This Bill provides the legal powers needed to ensure compliance.

¶ 02 Sri Lanka is a country exposed to disasters. Our Government’s duty is public safety—of lives, livelihoods, property, and critical infrastructure. The NBRI will provide technical recommendations and certifications for at-risk hilly and sloped areas, and conduct pre-construction technical assessments to reduce disaster risks to life and property.

¶ 03 Our policy emphasizes developing an effective early warning and disaster response system for floods and landslides. We advocate a strong code of ethics across the construction sector and ensuring state construction agencies participate in national disaster management training. Relevant technical agencies—including the Urban Development Authority—must work together. We also propose a dedicated R&D arm for construction technologies and materials, and robust environmental impact assessments with enforceable obligations. This Bill confers the necessary legal powers on the Institute.

¶ 04 High, medium, and safe zones have already been identified and mapped, with building codes introduced accordingly. Despite work done over decades, earlier governments did not give it adequate attention. Disaster management is now placed under the Ministry of Defence to coordinate across linear ministries. On 7 August, chaired by the President, the National Council for Disaster Management convened for the first time since 2018, with NBRI and other agencies participating. The President directed that NBRI be legally empowered and integrated with other institutions through a structured program.

¶ 05 The Institute provides technical guidance for disaster-resilient housing—from site selection to completion—assesses old buildings, and supports infrastructure and development projects with geotechnical services and building inspections. Population growth and pressure on safer lands push people to build in risky areas, often with non-compliant structures. Under this Bill, NBRI’s technical recommendations and certifications will be mandatory; failure will attract legal action.

¶ 06 We bring this Bill on three main objectives: identify geotechnical needs and instabilities in landslide-prone areas; minimize impacts; enable sustainable development through research, surveys and proper technical guidance for state, private and engineering bodies—thereby preventing hazards.

¶ 07 Every life matters. We must adopt safety policies and act in line with the National Policy on Constructions and water resources, ensuring disaster-resilient development. Research for a disaster-resilient built environment is a core objective, in line with NPP policy as well.

¶ 08 Climate-driven disasters are increasing worldwide; Sri Lanka is no exception. Therefore, we are legally strengthening NBRI to support sustainable, well-planned development with proper technical guidance, and promoting community participation for resilient housing solutions.

¶ 09 We are establishing a clear national policy and framework. The National Council for Disaster Management will convene again before year-end. Many families remain displaced due to past landslides; under the President’s guidance, a program is underway to relocate them to safer areas. Empowering NBRI significantly contributes to the broader disaster management agenda, which is why it sits under Defence with the support of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Security at district level. Through preparedness and early warnings, we aim to minimize harm. NBRI has contributed greatly thus far.

¶ 10 People in the hill country contribute significantly to GDP; ensuring the safety of their families and property is vital. Local authorities, major contractors, and SMEs will be modernized in coordination from village to national level. About 30 percent of Sri Lanka’s land faces landslide threat; we will ensure communities can live safely by zoning and guidance.

¶ 11 Construction is not only about buildings—it is about building the future. We value educating the next generation. Through the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD), over recent months we have held a series of discussions to update disaster management approaches by region, recognizing differing hazard profiles in the North, East and hill country. We are collating university research findings to integrate into national policy and NBRI’s work, including building codes for at-risk areas and comprehensive landslide hazard mapping. We presented related Cabinet papers recently; with approval, NBRI’s role is enhanced.

¶ 12 We consider initiation areas, flow paths and depositional zones in landslides. At Aranayake, 127 lives were lost; we have drawn lessons. Policy, administrative and practical measures are embedded in this Bill, and we stand ready to refine it, considering oversight committee observations.

¶ 13 Disasters do not announce themselves. The first task is to reduce potential harm through preparedness and awareness and by moving people to safer places in time—locations we must pre-identify. NBRI’s technical guidance on vulnerable slopes, like along the Badulla road, exemplifies preventive works you can see today.

¶ 14 We are gathering and using quality research to underpin action. Strengthening NBRI legally will contribute to national security and development. Thank you.