December 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka continues to assess the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with critical sectors across the country severely impacted, Commissioner-General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi said.

In a detailed statement, Chandrakeerthi reported that the Department of Agricultural Services has recorded extensive destruction, including 1,777 tanks, 483 dams, 1,936 canals, and 328 rural roads. Approximately 137,265 acres of farmland have been damaged, alongside 305 minor irrigation channels.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has managed to reopen 246 previously blocked roads, but 22 bridges have been destroyed nationwide. The distribution of the lost bridges includes six in Uva Province, four each in the Northern and North-Western provinces, three in Western, two each in Central and Eastern, and one in North-Central Province.

Sri Lanka’s railway network has also been heavily affected. Out of the 1,593 km network, only 478 km of tracks are currently operational, highlighting the significant impact on transport infrastructure.

Telecommunications have shown signs of recovery, with 91 per cent of disrupted connections restored. However, Nuwara Eliya District remains a focus area for ongoing repairs to fully reinstate service.

In the electricity sector, restoration efforts continue steadily. Of the 16,178 affected substations, 11,315 have been reactivated, bringing power back to 2,526,264 households—around 72 per cent of those disrupted.

To coordinate recovery efforts, the Director General of the Department of National Planning has been tasked with urgently preparing a Climate Responsive Recovery and Reconstruction

December 04, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has clarified that no content relating to Tamil history or artistic heritage has been removed from the school syllabuses for History and Art.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, PM Amarasuriya emphasised that the History curriculum is taught as a unified subject covering Sri Lankan history, rather than separating Sinhala and Tamil narratives. The syllabus includes material on Tamil kings and kingdoms, with Grade 10 Lesson 7 featuring dedicated content on Tamil rulers, and Lesson 10 covering the Jaffna Kingdom, including the era of King Cankili. Revisions to the Grade 6 History curriculum are also underway, incorporating illustrations of the Cankili Kingdom to ensure a comprehensive representation of Tamil heritage.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns regarding examination centres on Eluvaitivu Island in the Jaffna District. She noted that due to the small number of students—10 in 2022, 8 in 2023, and 5 in 2024—these schools have not functioned as O/L examination centres since 1999. Students are instead accommodated at the nearest available centre at St. Anthony’s College in Kayts, with transport support provided.

Regarding Art education, PM Amarasuriya explained that the subject emphasises both practical activities and the study of significant artworks. The curriculum has been updated to align with international standards, highlighting multicultural, multi-religious, and globally recognised artistic contributions.

The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts by the Department of National Museums to preserve and showcase Tamil heritage. The Stone Antiquities Gallery at the Colombo National Museum houses four Tamil copper plate inscriptions and two Tamil stone inscriptions linked to the Indian emperors Rajaraja and Rajendra, as well as Aryachakravarti rulers. Artifacts on display include Hindu sculptures of Shiva, Parvati, Nataraja, and Sundaramurthi, alongside Setu coins from the Jaffna Kingdom. Publications on these collections, authored by scholars such as Prof S. Pathmanathan, Dr Krishnamurthy, and Senarath Wickramasinghe, are available through the museum’s Publications Division.

PM Amarasuriya concluded that both History and Art syllabuses continue to reflect Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural heritage, ensuring Tamil history and artistic achievements remain fully represented within the national curriculum.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, the Government of China has extended significant humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, delivering financial support and emergency relief supplies valued at over USD 1 million.

On 2 December, Colombo received USD 1 million in cash aid alongside relief goods from China worth approximately RMB 10 million (around USD 1.4 million). In addition, USD 100,000 was channelled through the Red Cross Society of China to support the Sri Lanka Red Cross, while Chinese businesses and citizens in Sri Lanka contributed roughly LKR 10 million towards local relief initiatives.

The assistance was officially handed over by Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and accepted by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath. Minister Herath expressed gratitude for China’s ongoing support, noting the country’s role as a dependable partner during crises.

The Chinese authorities conveyed condolences to those affected by the cyclone and emphasised their solidarity with Sri Lanka. They expressed confidence in the nation’s recovery under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and with the backing of the international community.

Highlighting the importance of friendship in challenging times, China reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing support as Sri Lanka undertakes recovery and reconstruction efforts.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s rail network has been drastically affected by the recent cyclone, with only 478 kilometres of the total 1,593-kilometre system currently operational, Commissioner-General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi reported on Wednesday.

Chandrakeerthi outlined the widespread disruption caused by the storm, which has affected transport, agriculture, electricity, and telecommunications across numerous districts. Hospitals have been instructed by the Ministry of Health to reschedule missed appointments, treatments, and medical examinations, with priority given as conditions improve.

Agricultural infrastructure has suffered heavily, with 1,777 tanks, 483 dams, 1,936 canals, 328 rural roads, 305 minor irrigation channels, and roughly 137,265 acres of farmland reported damaged or destroyed. The Road Development Authority has managed to reopen 246 blocked roads, but 22 bridges across the country have been completely destroyed, including six in Uva Province, four each in the Northern and North-Western provinces, three in Western, two each in Central and Eastern, and one in North-Central Province.

Telecommunications have largely recovered, with 91 percent of services restored, although work in Nuwara Eliya district continues. Electricity supply has been reinstated to over 2.5 million households—about 72 percent of those disrupted—following the reactivation of 11,315 out of 16,178 affected substations.

Emergency aid has been delivered to isolated communities, with dry food airlifted to residents in Aranayake and additional support provided to local medical teams.

A multi-agency technical team, including experts from the Water Supply and Drainage Board, Water Resources Board, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Irrigation Department, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, and the University of Peradeniya, is assessing the structural safety of homes and public buildings.

Chandrakeerthi also confirmed that the Director General of the Department of National Planning has been tasked with rapidly developing a Climate-Responsive Recovery and Reconstruction Investment Plan to coordinate international support and funding for rebuilding efforts.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): The Australian Government has pledged an additional US$2.5 million in aid for Sri Lanka, bringing its total support in response to Cyclone Ditwah to US$3.5 million.

The announcement comes as Canberra steps up efforts to assist countries across Southeast Asia affected by recent extreme weather events.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Australia is coordinating with governments in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to provide urgent assistance through both Australian non-governmental organisations and the United Nations.

The expanded funding will help address immediate humanitarian needs, including food, clean water, emergency shelter, and sanitation.

Since October, Australia’s regional aid has exceeded US$14 million, supporting a combination of local and international partners in delivering life-saving assistance to communities impacted by floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides.

The support also targets vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, while offering essential health and education services to displaced populations.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong emphasised Australia’s commitment to standing by its neighbours:

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and devastation in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. We are working with our partners in the region to deliver life-saving assistance to accelerate their response. Australia is committed to supporting our neighbours in good times and bad – we are a partner our region can count on.”

The Ministry confirmed that Canberra will continue collaborating with regional governments and agencies to strengthen disaster response, prioritising both urgent relief and longer-term recovery initiatives.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka received a significant boost to its disaster-relief efforts yesterday (03) evening as a Pakistan Air Force C-130 transport aircraft touched down in Colombo carrying vital supplies and a specialist search-and-rescue unit.

The consignment was formally handed over by Pakistan’s High Commissioner and accepted on behalf of the government by Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

The delivery forms part of a wider emergency mobilisation launched by Islamabad in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused extensive destruction across several districts in Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority confirmed that a 47-member expert rescue team from the Pakistan Army, supported by 6.5 tonnes of technical equipment, was flown out earlier on the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The aid package is substantial and wide-ranging, including tents for displaced families, warm bedding, life jackets, inflatable boats, pumping equipment for flood-hit zones, lanterns, ground mats, mosquito nets, essential medicines, dry infant formula and ready-to-eat food packs. Pakistani naval vessels and helicopters are also reported to be contributing to relief missions already under way in Sri Lankan waters and coastal regions.

A formal send-off ceremony was held in Islamabad, attended by Pakistan’s Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Pakistan, Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (Rtd). Their presence underscored the close cooperation between the two nations, which intensified following recent discussions between Prime Minister Sharif and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

In addition to the airlift, NDMA has arranged further consignments on SriLankan Airlines flights operating between Lahore and Colombo. Under special orders from the Prime Minister, Pakistan also dispatched 200 tonnes of relief goods by sea yesterday, and preparations are under way to send temporary modular bridges from the Pakistan Army to help reconnect isolated communities.

Pakistan has emphasised that it will continue providing whatever assistance is required, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to humanitarian support and regional solidarity during times of crisis.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Finance yesterday (03) convened a high-level donor forum bringing together diplomatic missions, bilateral and multilateral development partners and international lending agencies to assess the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and coordinate assistance for national relief, rescue and restoration efforts.

The meeting, co-chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank and the Secretary to the Treasury, was attended by senior government officials, including Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Mr.Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Russell Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Mr.Aloka Bandara, as well as representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Disaster Management Centre and Treasury Departments.

The Secretary to the Treasury presented an overview of the extensive damage caused by the cyclone across all sectors of the country, stressing the government’s intention to transition from emergency response to a broader, long-term recovery framework. He underscored the urgent need for development assistance from bilateral and multilateral partners, particularly rapid humanitarian support such as food supplies, grants, concessional financing and short- to medium-term aid.

The Central Bank Governor highlighted the importance of external financial support, noting the constraints posed by contracting economic sectors and limited scope for domestic borrowing. Government authorities also urged development partners to encourage international engagement and promote travel to Sri Lanka to help revitalise the tourism sector.

Development partners reaffirmed their strong commitment to support Sri Lanka during this critical period. A representative of the International Monetary Fund announced that Sri Lanka is expected to receive swift access to approximately USD 350 million, the sixth tranche of the Extended Fund Facility, within two weeks.

Several development and donor partners have also committed to immediate assistance, including disaster relief missions, emergency services and essential humanitarian supplies such as food, clean drinking water, hygiene kits, medical supplies and emergency healthcare to stabilise affected communities and prevent disease outbreaks. Some countries have already deployed disaster relief and humanitarian teams on the ground.

Partners also agreed to repurpose and redesign existing loan facilities to support medium-term rehabilitation of damaged economic and social infrastructure including major roads, bridges, irrigation systems and transport networks. They further explored options for new loan and grant packages to address long-term development needs.

The World Bank has already initiated a rapid post-disaster assessment, while development partners held detailed discussions on a comprehensive damage and needs assessment covering housing, infrastructure, agriculture and services to mobilise funding for medium- and long-term recovery.

Sri Lanka extended its deep appreciation to all international development partners for their proactive engagement, solidarity and continued support as the country works to restore essential services, assist affected families and rebuild the nation.

(PMD)

December 04, Colombo (LNW): The Management Committee of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund—created on the direction of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to support the nation’s post-cyclone recovery—convened at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (03) morning.

The session was led by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, who called for an intensified push to secure the financial resources needed to revive communities and industries damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

Committee members reviewed funding gaps across multiple sectors and explored avenues to strengthen the national recovery drive.

Much of the discussion centred on widening the country’s fundraising network. Suggestions included deepening engagement with foreign missions, cultivating support from international development partners, and channelling the goodwill of Sri Lankans living overseas.

Officials also examined how public institutions, private enterprises, charitable foundations, and individual citizens might meaningfully contribute to rebuilding efforts.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Rusell Aponsu, who serves as the committee’s convener, joined other representatives from state agencies and the business community in mapping out the next phase of the fund’s operations.

In a related update, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, reported that more than 19,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers have already contributed to the fund. Delivering a statement yesterday, he outlined a series of coordinated measures introduced to accommodate the widespread desire among overseas Sri Lankans to aid the country during this difficult period.

He said that, in addition to the dedicated bank account established at the Bank of Ceylon to receive cash donations, a parallel mechanism now allows overseas contributors to send essential supplies to Sri Lanka free of customs charges and with simplified documentation.

A special task force under the Director General of Customs is overseeing the clearance process to ensure that relief goods reach the Disaster Management Centre without delay.

All Sri Lankan diplomatic missions have been briefed on these procedures, enabling donors abroad to channel assistance either through official banking routes or via their nearest mission. Once received by the DMC, consignments are dispatched to affected districts through local administrative offices.

Dr Suriyapperuma emphasised that every contribution—whether monetary or material—helps rebuild shattered lives. He urged all Sri Lankans, both at home and overseas, to extend whatever support they can, noting that the collective effort remains crucial as the country navigates its path to recovery.

December 04, Colombo (LNW): Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo has revealed that nearly 28,500 members of the armed services are now on the ground across the country, working around the clock to assist communities struck by the recent spell of destructive weather.

Their efforts range from emergency evacuations to clearing debris and helping restore day-to-day life in areas still reeling from the impact.

According to the Army Commander, tri-forces teams have already brought 31,057 people to safety, often carrying out rescues in difficult terrain and challenging conditions. Officials say operations will continue until all affected regions are stabilised and essential services are fully reinstated.

In a separate update, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka reported that more than three-quarters of the disrupted communications network is now back online. Director General Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath (Retd.) noted that engineers are also repairing damaged fibre lines, with priority given to districts where connectivity remains patchy.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau offered reassurance to the international community, confirming that no visiting tourists have suffered serious harm during the disaster. Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam added that travellers can continue to access the country’s key attractions, as most tourism sites and transport links have resumed regular operations despite the wider challenges faced by local communities.