D. Jaliya Wickremarachchi

Re: The Devastating Natural Disaster in Sri Lanka

December 1st, 2025

The Right Honorable Prime Minister,

As Sri Lankan-Canadians we are devastated by the natural disaster in Sri Lanka that has caused death and destruction – which is unprecedented in the history of Sri Lanka. Heavy torrential rain, hurricane winds caused by a deadly cyclone named “Ditwah” has played havoc resulting in widespread devastation across the country, causing death, displacing thousands, destroying homes and properties, and leaving a large number of families without access to food, medicine, and clean water.  The scale of  this disaster is unimaginable and will take months, if not years to recover the livelihood of its people.  Not to mention its severe effects on the economy, and the society due to serious damages to schools, hospitals, farms, and other vital services and infrastructure including electricity, communications, roads, etc. 

In other words, Sri Lanka will need massive amounts of aid and support from the international community, for its people to recover their enormous losses in their lives, which are completely destroyed.  We are thankful that its neighbours like India, Pakistan, and other countries such as Australia, the United States, etc., have come forward to help in its hour of need.  

Therefore, as Canadians of Sri Lankan origin living in this great country, we kindly appeal to the Canadian Government and its aid agencies to help our motherland, and our people in the hour of their desperate needs. The entire island from east to west and from north to south has been hit by this vicious cyclone, damaging the country beyond belief.  No part of the country has been spared. Every region is a disaster area unfortunately.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9u-5QuTuh8

As you already know, Canada is home to one of the largest Sri Lankan Diaspora communities outside of Sri Lanka. Therefore, every one of us in the Sri Lankan Diaspora community – be they Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Malay or Burgher, are deeply affected by this massive disaster.  When a natural disaster hits a country it does not discriminate among ethnic, religious, or social status of its citizens. The fury of nature is felt equally by all the citizens causing misery and mayhem for everyone. 

Therefore, we kindly appeal to the Canadian government to help Sri Lanka as much as possible so that her citizens can regain their livelihood and normalcy, they once had before this disaster.  There are many ways Canada can help, especially financially which will go a long way enabling  Sri Lanka to provide essential items immediately, such as food, medicine, hospital equipment, etc. There are no words to describe the misery and pain the entire country is feeling right now, as they have been already trying to cope with the economic disaster that nearly bankrupted the country a few years ago. 

As a result,  not only Sri Lankan-Canadians, but Sri Lankans everywhere will be extremely grateful if Canada, a country well-known for its generosity and compassion around the world – will take the lead and help Sri Lanka and its people to recover from this devastating natural disaster.

Your generous support,  and prompt response to this urgent matter will be  greatly appreciated by all Sri Lankans.

Thank you. 

Sincerely,

D. Jaliya Wickremarachchi

President

Sri Lanka Canada Association of Markham

(SLCAM)