The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Thailand, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, had a meeting with Executive Director of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Aslam Perwaiz, at the ADPC premises to discuss continued cooperation in post-disaster recovery and long-term resilience building in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. During the meeting, the Ambassador conveyed appreciation for the timely technical and monetary assistance extended by ADPC in response to the cyclone, which caused widespread damage across several parts of Sri Lanka. The Ambassador handed over a Letter of Acknowledgement from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, H M Vijitha Herath, to the Executive Director, expressing the Government of Sri Lanka’s appreciation for ADPC’s support and solidarity.
The Ambassador further highlighted that the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) of Sri Lanka has identified ADPC as a potential strategic partner to strengthen recovery efforts and enhance long-term disaster resilience. She noted that in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, significant landslide-related damages were reported in several districts, including Kandy, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya, involving ground movement, land subsidence, and structural damage to housing and infrastructure.
In this context, the Ambassador explained that NBRO has sought international support to mobilize global expertise in advanced landslide risk assessment, including remote sensing technologies, drone-based analysis, and satellite imagery, with the objective of strengthening early warning systems, hazard mapping, and mitigation planning in vulnerable areas.
Accepting the Letter of Acknowledgement, Executive Director of ADPC, Aslam Perwaiz, expressed his appreciation for the recognition extended by the Government of Sri Lanka. He conveyed his satisfaction that Sri Lankan Government institutions are working tirelessly and in close coordination to rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Reaffirming ADPC’s commitment, he assured continued support to the Government of Sri Lanka in its recovery and resilience-building efforts.
The Executive Director further informed that ADPC is engaging with its member countries and partners to explore avenues for additional technical cooperation and assistance to support Sri Lanka’s rebuilding process, particularly in strengthening disaster risk reduction and preparedness mechanisms.
During her visit to ADPC, the Ambassador also held a brief discussion on potential collaboration between Sri Lanka and ADPC with the First Chairman of the ADPC Board of Trustees, Professor Krasae Chanawongse, who was pleased to welcome the Ambassador to the premises.
The meeting was attended on behalf of ADPC by Program Lead/Climate Services; Senaka Basnayake, Manager/Office of the Executive Director; Weerapon Sripongchai, and Program Coordinator/Disaster and Climate Innovation, Luckshi Ranasinghe,. Representing the Embassy were Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Thilini Ihalage, and Defence Attaché, Group Captain Vajira Sampath Jayakoddy,
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Thailand
12 January 2026
