Sri Lanka sees rise in forest fires due to hot weather

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

With the prevailing dry weather conditions in Sri Lanka,  authorities have noticed an increase in forest fires. This is evident  with the number of forest fire incidents reported recently, amounting to  123.   

This was revealed during a discussion held at the office  of the State Minister of Defence on the increase in forest fires and  preventive measures to control the issue.  
State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said,  that due to the prevailing dry weather, a large number of fires have  been reported in forest reserves and plantations and that in comparison  with 78 forest fires reported last year, this year already 123 forest  fires.   

The State Minister said that with the prevailing dry  weather, forest fire incidents have increased due to deliberate or  careless human activities and such actions are also likely to occur due  to camping groups.   

Therefore, he said that everyone should pay more attention to taking preemptive measures to prevent such destruction of forests.  

He said the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Armed Forces,  Fire Brigades, District and the Divisional Secretariats, Wildlife  Department and the Forest Conservation Department have made great  efforts in the last few days to suppress forest fires caused due to the  prevailing dry weather conditions.  

He also said that arrangements have been made to delegate a  number of monitoring activities to the DMC, Wildlife Department, Forest  Conservation Department, Plantation Industry and the Ports Authority  and also special requests have been made to the Forest Conservation  Department and Wildlife Department to control this situation, especially  in highly sensitive areas and that the DMC and Ministry of Defence have  discussed on how support could be extended towards this.   

He said a special programme will also be implemented to  create fire belts in the next few days, and that they have taken steps  to start a special programme for training of armed forces and CSD  personnel by the Fire Brigade. 

• The Forest Conservation Department has made great  efforts over the last few days to suppress forest fires caused due to the  prevailing dry weather conditions