Australia has delivered rescue boats and disaster assessment drones to Sri Lankan agencies as part of a AUD 7 million humanitarian package aimed at enhancing the country's disaster management capabilities.
The Australian Government has handed over two rescue inflatable boats to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre, with disaster assessment drones designated for the National Building Research Institute expected to follow. The equipment transfer, funded by Australia and procured through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), forms part of a broader AUD 7 million humanitarian and recovery initiative supporting Sri Lanka's disaster preparedness infrastructure.
The rescue boats are intended to expand the Disaster Management Centre's capacity to respond to water-related emergencies such as floods. Officials indicated the vessels will facilitate emergency evacuations, medical transport, supply delivery, and rapid access to isolated communities during disasters and recovery operations.
The disaster assessment drones will enable the National Building Research Institute to conduct aerial surveys of damage in affected areas, with particular focus on critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, embankments, and residential settlements. The technology is expected to improve situational awareness, enhance responder safety, and provide data to support decision-making during emergency response and reconstruction efforts.
Australia's Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs Tim Watts MP attended the handover ceremony in Colombo, stating that Australia remains committed to supporting locally-led disaster preparedness and regional resilience. The ceremony included representatives from the Australian High Commission, UNOPS, and both recipient organisations.
