Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary reviewed construction progress on a Doppler Weather Radar Network in Puttalam this week, a Japan-funded initiative designed to enhance the country's weather forecasting capabilities and disaster response systems.
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha visited the Doppler Weather Radar Network project site in Puttalam on Wednesday to assess ongoing development of the weather monitoring infrastructure. The initiative, funded through a Japanese grant, forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka's early warning systems and weather prediction accuracy.
During the inspection, Department of Meteorology Director General A.L.K. Wijemannage outlined the project's scope and strategic importance before guiding the Defence Secretary through the site. Project engineers then presented updates on construction achievements since the previous inspection in July 2025, along with details on the implementation timeline moving forward.
According to project officials, installation of the radar system is scheduled to commence in January 2027, with the full completion of work targeted for July 2027. The Defence Secretary affirmed his satisfaction with the progress achieved to date and underscored the importance of adhering to these timelines to enhance the country's disaster preparedness capacity.
Once operational, the Doppler Radar Network is expected to deliver significant improvements in weather forecasting precision and enable timely public alerts during severe weather events, potentially helping to protect lives and property across the island.
