Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday conveyed a message of condolence to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing sorrow over the severe flooding and extensive destruction caused by days of torrential rain across the island.

President Xi said he was deeply shocked by the high number of casualties and the considerable property damage resulting from the extreme weather conditions. Extending sympathies on behalf of the Chinese government and people, he offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to those affected by the disaster.

Underscoring the longstanding bilateral ties, Xi noted that China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners bound by a tradition of mutual support and enduring friendship. He affirmed China’s readiness to provide necessary assistance to help Sri Lanka respond to the crisis and support recovery efforts.

President Xi added that he is confident the Sri Lankan people, under the leadership of their government, will overcome the disaster and rebuild their communities at an early date.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed deep gratitude to the Tri-Forces, Police, public officials, volunteer organisations, the general public, and foreign nations for their unwavering support during the recent national disaster.

Speaking in Parliament, the Prime Minister stated that the Government is fully committed to assisting all citizens affected by the disaster to rebuild their lives, underscoring that the past few days marked one of the most severe crises in Sri Lanka’s history.

She conveyed condolences to those who lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and property, and acknowledged the extraordinary efforts made by public officials, members of Parliament, local authorities, and first responders who worked tirelessly in rescue and relief operations.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the heroic sacrifices made by individuals during rescue missions, including Wing Commander Nirmala Siyambalapitiya, who died in a helicopter crash during rescue operations in Lunuwila, and the five Navy officers who went missing while attempting to widen the Chundikulam lagoon outlet to mitigate flooding.

Dr. Amarasuriya extended appreciation to District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, essential service providers, and institutions such as the Disaster Management Centre, Department of Meteorology, CEB, NWSDB, and telecommunications service providers for their rapid efforts to restore essential services.

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the health sector, the Prime Minister praised doctors, nurses, hospital staff, PHIs, midwives, and community health workers for their dedication during the crisis.

She also recognised the tireless efforts of volunteer groups, youth organisations, women’s groups, religious institutions, and communities who assisted affected families, highlighting the compassion and solidarity of the Sri Lankan people.

Dr. Amarasuriya further thanked foreign nations, international organisations, and Sri Lankans living abroad who extended assistance and solidarity during this difficult time.

Special appreciation was extended to the Ministry of Education, the Department of Examinations, principals, teachers, and staff who protected students, examination papers, and schools under extremely challenging conditions. She recalled the tragic incident where the Assistant Coordinating Officer of Talawakelle Sumanasara Maha Vidyalaya lost his wife and children in a landslide while he was on duty.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of restoring uninterrupted education and supporting the psychological well-being of students as a national responsibility.

Calling for unity in Parliament, she urged all Members to set aside political differences and work together to rebuild the country. She praised the patience and resilience shown by citizens despite power outages, food shortages, and severe hardships, describing their strength as the foundation of the nation.

Dr. Amarasuriya reiterated the Government’s commitment to helping all affected communities recover and rebuild, emphasising that the journey ahead—though difficult—must be faced with compassion, solidarity, and collective resolve.

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.