An audio alert system that activates during an emergency is going to be installed.

The government is focusing on implementing a new emergency alert system in the country, which will issue a text message and an audio alert to mobile phones of people across the island before a natural disaster or an emergency occurs.

A senior government official stated that this system is currently being studied to be adapted for Sri Lanka, based on a system already successfully used in several countries, including India. Under this, mobile phone service towers located in an area that may be affected by a disaster or is already affected, are expected to automatically issue these alerts to all mobile phones operating within that zone.

Especially, a high-frequency sound wave capable of waking up and alerting mobile phone users even when they are asleep, has been arranged to be emitted from phones along with this message.

Several foreign countries are supporting Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre to adapt this system for Sri Lanka and to resolve any potential issues. Several rounds of discussions have already been held with stakeholders, and it is expected to finalize this within a short period of two or three months. In addition, steps are currently being taken to renovate the tsunami early warning towers that had been abandoned without proper maintenance for the past decade.

The government has expedited this project after reviewing the disaster management and response mechanism during the recent 'Ditwah' cyclone that affected the country. Commenting on this, Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, stated that the National Council for Disaster Management (NCDM) is scheduled to meet this week. He further added that extensive discussions are expected to take place there regarding this new system as well as the necessary legal amendments for restructuring the national disaster management framework.