The International Conference on International virtual symposium on Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction was launched in Colombo on 14th December 2020 with the participation of national and international organizations, professionals and academia,  involved in the field of disaster management to exchange research scientific knowledge as well as modern technological know-how to make the disaster management process efficient and effective.

State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Sri Lanka, Hon Chamal Rajapaksa and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and  State Ministry of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Major General (Rtd), Kamal Gunaratne  participated in the inaugural session via video technology.

Major General (Rtd), Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Director General of Government Information Department, Dr. Asiri Karunawardena, Director General of the  National Building Research Organization and officials from tri forces and  police and members of other stakeholder agencies were also present at the inaugural ceremony. A large number of delegates from home and abroad participated in the inaugural ceremony through the virtual platform. 

The conference will go on till 16th December 2020 and will be live streamed through the Disaster Management Centre's Facebook page.