New Flood Management Act SOON

The Flood Protection Ordinance No 4 of 1924 is to be repealed and replaced with a new Flood Management Act.

The Ordinance at present allows the minister to declare any area to be a flood prone area and allows the Director General of Irrigation to take proactive measures.

Irrigation and Water Resources Mangement Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa who proposed the change said the Ordinance was only amended once and there was a need for a new Act to make provisions to protect lives and properties from floods considering the social, economic, environmental and institutional changes that have occurred over the years.

Co-cabinet spokesperson Gayantha Karunathilaka explained that the government in future will take action to relocate all who have built their homes on flood prone areas.

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Account numbers to remit foreign currency

The Government has opened bank accounts to facilitate cash donations to help disaster victims from local and foreign donors to  contribute in cash to the recent natural disaster relief activities. Those willing to donate in foreign currencies can remit their donations to one of the following account numbers maintained at Sampath Bank under the SWIFT code: BSAMLKLX

Foreign currency   Sampath Bank 

            Account Number

1    United States Dollar 5029  6000  2000

2    United Kingdom Pound 5029  6100  2000

3    Japanese Yen 5029  6400  2000

4    Australian Dollar 5029  6600  2000

5    Euro 5029  6900  2000

The Government will utilize all such donations, to rehabilitate properties of the disaster victims.