With the need for a proactive approach becoming increasingly evident in the face of mounting socio-economic challenges, a dialogue on Private Sector Preparedness for Pandemics and Multi-Hazard Scenarios offered industries with timely insights on formulating strategies to absorb economic uncertainty at a recent event in Colombo.
It was organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) with the Social Policy Analysis and Research Centre (SPARC) of the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo (UoC), and the Global Disaster Resilience Centre (GDRC) of the University of Huddersfield (UK). Officials of the public and private sectors were present.
Two Position Papers on ‘Covid: Economic Preparedness and Building Resilience’ were launched. The Position Papers are based on the findings of a research study conducted by the three institutions and outline recommendations for the Government and private sector on ensuring pandemic preparedness. Director, MAS Holdings, Shirendra Lawrence referenced the ongoing national economic challenges caused by the pandemic, among other factors and stressed the need for a holistic approach towards multi-hazard preparedness.
While lessons continue to be learned from the current challenges, he said that it is important to actively lay the groundwork for preparedness in many areas including training, technology, communications and social support.
Senior Assistant Secretary General (CCC) Chandraratne Vithanage said that given the increasing frequency and diverse nature of economic threats and the high interdependency on economic, social and environmental factors, it is imperative that businesses implement strategies to ensure protection and sustainability.
Co-director (GDRC), University of Huddersfield, UK, Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga said with the frequency of such unanticipated events making recovery more difficult, there is a pressing case for a private-public partnership approach to ensure such preparedness.
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, UoC, Prof. Nishara Fernando outlined the aim of the study, which was to examine how pandemic, tsunami and other multi-hazard preparedness could best be integrated into early warning and urban planning, thereby contributing towards developing a strong disaster risk reduction framework
The panellists at the event were Director General, Disaster Management Centre, Major General (Rtd) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Deputy Director General, Public Health Services, Dr. Susie Perera, Chairman, Agripreneurs› Forum, Rizvi Zaheed, Secretary General and CEO, Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, Nissanka N. Wijeratne, Chairperson and Jt. Managing Director, Renuka Hotels, Plc, Shibani Thambiayah, and Co-founder and Director, Kantala (Pvt) Ltd and Co-Founder and Partner at Positive Impact Consultancy, Vikum Rajapakse.
The session moderator was Economist, CCC, Jayani Ratnayake.