23 March 2009

Each year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization, its 188 Members and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme. This Day commemorates the entry into force, on that date in 1950, of the WMO Convention creating the Organization. Subsequently, in 1951, WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System.

This year, the theme is “Weather, climate and the air we breathe”.

As an annual event, the Department of Meteorology commemorated the World Meteorological Day on the 23rd March 2009 at the premises of head office. The additional secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, participated as the chief guest to graze this occation, Director General of Meteorology, Mr. G.B. Samarasinghe also participated as the guest of honor. About 250 school children and school teachers were participated from the schools in suburbs of Colombo. The following presentations, which are relevent to the theme of the seminar, were made during half a day seminar.

• Weather, Climate and the Air We Breathe (Keynote Address)
• Air Pollution in Sri Lanka
• Air Pollution and Meteorological Aspects
• Air Pollution and Health Hazards