GOVERNOR WESTERN PROVINCE MEETS COMMANDER TO DISCUSS KEY INITIATIVES
3:53pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024
The newly appointed Honorable Governor of the Western Province, Mr. Hanif Yusoof, paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, today (20 November 2024) at Air Force Headquarters. Following the meeting, a conference was convened with a delegation of 17 members led by the Governor, alongside Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) stakeholders, to discuss collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing key challenges in the Western Province.
The discussions focused on four main areas, the establishment of an automated traffic management system, enhancing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, revitalizing dengue prevention programs, and leveraging SLAF capabilities to enhance tourism in the Western Province.
The Governor emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive traffic management system for the Western Province, which will be created by the Department of Transport and Logistics Management of the University of Moratuwa. The SLAF will provide assistance to the University in this endeavor, particularly in integrating drone technology to enhance efficiency. The proposed system will focus on lane management, accident monitoring and early public awareness of traffic congestion.
In addition, the Governor highlighted the importance of strengthening HADR readiness in the Western Province and acknowledged the SLAF's capability to provide critical support during emergencies. Similarly, the Governor proposed the reimplementation of dengue prevention efforts using drone technology and the expertise of the SLAF to strengthen ongoing public health initiatives in the province.
Lastly, the discussion extended to the potential role of the SLAF in enhancing tourism in the Western Province. The Governor and the delegation emphasized the strategic importance of utilizing SLAF assets and aerial promotional activities, to attract both local and international tourists.
The Governor's delegation included Chief Secretary of the Western Province, Ms. Dhammika Wijeyasinghe, Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Somasiri Pallatarage, Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Western Province), Mr. LA Kalu Kapuarachchi, Deputy Director (Planning), Municipal Commissioner- Colombo Municipal Council, General Manager-Transport Authority (Western Province), Deputy Director of Traffic - Colombo Municipal Council , from the Dengue Unit, DIG/Traffic, Sri Lanka Police and representatives from the University of Moratuwa, including Prof. Asoka Perera, Prof. Kumarage and Dr. Silva.
Representing the SLAF, the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, the Director Personnel and Planning, Air Vice Marshal Shehan Wijenayaka, the Director of Information Technology, Air Commodore Asitha Hettiarachchi and other key officials actively participated in the discussions.
The discussions focused on four main areas, the establishment of an automated traffic management system, enhancing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, revitalizing dengue prevention programs, and leveraging SLAF capabilities to enhance tourism in the Western Province.
The Governor emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive traffic management system for the Western Province, which will be created by the Department of Transport and Logistics Management of the University of Moratuwa. The SLAF will provide assistance to the University in this endeavor, particularly in integrating drone technology to enhance efficiency. The proposed system will focus on lane management, accident monitoring and early public awareness of traffic congestion.
In addition, the Governor highlighted the importance of strengthening HADR readiness in the Western Province and acknowledged the SLAF's capability to provide critical support during emergencies. Similarly, the Governor proposed the reimplementation of dengue prevention efforts using drone technology and the expertise of the SLAF to strengthen ongoing public health initiatives in the province.
Lastly, the discussion extended to the potential role of the SLAF in enhancing tourism in the Western Province. The Governor and the delegation emphasized the strategic importance of utilizing SLAF assets and aerial promotional activities, to attract both local and international tourists.
The Governor's delegation included Chief Secretary of the Western Province, Ms. Dhammika Wijeyasinghe, Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Somasiri Pallatarage, Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Western Province), Mr. LA Kalu Kapuarachchi, Deputy Director (Planning), Municipal Commissioner- Colombo Municipal Council, General Manager-Transport Authority (Western Province), Deputy Director of Traffic - Colombo Municipal Council , from the Dengue Unit, DIG/Traffic, Sri Lanka Police and representatives from the University of Moratuwa, including Prof. Asoka Perera, Prof. Kumarage and Dr. Silva.
Representing the SLAF, the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, the Director Personnel and Planning, Air Vice Marshal Shehan Wijenayaka, the Director of Information Technology, Air Commodore Asitha Hettiarachchi and other key officials actively participated in the discussions.
