The Government has continued to provide relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka last November, under a comprehensive relief and empowerment programme launched in the aftermath of the disaster.
As of February 20, 2026, 98.07 percent of selected families had received the Rs. 25,000 allowance granted for cleaning houses damaged by the cyclone. A total of Rs. 10,689 million has been disbursed to 427,569 beneficiary families under this scheme.
The highest number of payments was recorded in the severely affected districts of Puttalam (90,788 beneficiaries), Gampaha (76,204 beneficiaries) and Colombo (51,558 beneficiaries). Disbursement under this category has been completed in Kilinochchi, Ampara, Jaffna, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Galle and Kalutara.
Meanwhile, 86 percent of eligible families have received the Rs. 50,000 grant provided for the purchase of essential kitchenware and household appliances. A total of Rs. 7,347 million has been paid to 146,093 families under this programme. The highest allocations were made to Colombo (36,513 beneficiaries), Puttalam (30,044 beneficiaries) and Gampaha (28,190 beneficiaries). Disbursement of this grant has been completed in the Kalutara District.
The programme also includes a monthly rental allowance for up to six months for homeowners who lost their houses or whose homes became uninhabitable due to landslides and floods. As of February 20, disbursement under this category had reached 36.30 percent, with Rs. 218.49 million paid to 3,648 beneficiaries.
In addition, Rs. 31 million has been distributed to 346 beneficiaries who lost their livelihoods, reflecting a disbursement rate of 27.24 percent. The Government has provided direct financial grants aimed at restoring livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, fisheries and small businesses.
Cyclone Ditwah claimed 650 lives across the country, with 173 persons still reported missing. The cyclone brought record rainfall, with up to 540 mm recorded within 24 hours in some areas. A total of 22 out of 25 districts were severely affected.
According to official figures, 6,018 houses were completely destroyed and 108,879 houses were partially damaged. Currently, 1,150 families remain in 41 temporary shelters, while a further 43,831 families are staying in alternative locations due to the loss of their homes.
A World Bank report estimates that the direct physical damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah to buildings, agriculture and critical infrastructure amounts to approximately US$ 4.1 billion.