The government plans to introduce a new ‘Flood Management Act’ to replace the Flood Protection Ordinance (No. 4) of 1924.

Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa proposed to the Cabinet draft a new act to replace the older one.

The Ordinance authorizes the relevant ministers to declare areas that can be affected by floods, so that the Minister of Irrigation can take protective measures.

The Ordinance has been slightly amended only once and there is a need to enact a new Act to make provisions to protect lives and floods, considering the social, economic, environmental and institutional changes occurred during the past period.