The cyclone reshaped large swathes of the upcountry. The devastation is so great that remapping is necessary. More than half of all landslides occurred in the districts of Badulla, Kandy, and Matale. Experts need high-quality close-up images, with essential assistance from international organisations and agencies.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Cyclone Ditwah has transformed the topography of some inland parts of the island nation, the Survey Department reported recently, after strong winds and torrential rains altered its features. As a result, the land use map must be revised.
The department has reported that large parts of the upcountry have been eroded and battered, displacing huge boulders, washing away roads and railways, and devastating entire villages and towns.
More than half of all landslides occurred in the districts of Badulla, Kandy, and Matale, prompting experts to request new, high-resolution satellite images from space stations orbiting Sri Lanka to support a thorough remapping of the land.
This work is all the more urgent since a new map of the entire country was already in progress, making it necessary to assess the impact of recent events. The new images will help identify the areas affected by the landslides and assess the damage to river basins, land, and agricultural areas.
Landslides have physically altered parts of the hinterland, forcing authorities to rethink land use, resettlement, and national mapping priorities, necessitating a review of the material currently in use. The damage is mainly to the geological landscape.
Although basic satellite imagery is freely available, “high-quality close-up images require significant funding,” experts explain. Currently, the Survey Department has collected low-resolution images from disaster affected provinces and has begun preliminary assessments.”
The latter plans to request international assistance to obtain advanced satellite imagery, particularly from India, China, Japan, the United States, and Russia.
Beijing has already provided several close-ups, primarily highlighting areas affected by floods and landslides, although further imagery collection may be delayed due to current, still unstable weather conditions.
Australia-based geologists Mayantha Samarasinghe and Devinda Amarakoon told AsiaNews that satellite imagery is being used to monitor and assess landslides and flooding” in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.
The initiative involves several entities, including the department itself, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA, which “use data from the Sentinel and Planet Labs satellites” to map the affected areas and assist “response efforts.”
“These images provide crucial before-and-after insights to understand the extent of the devastation, identify risk zones, and assist with relief and reconstruction efforts. However, access to high-resolution data can sometimes be delayed by adverse weather conditions or resource limitations.”
For the researchers, “The lack of comprehensive landslide inventories has hindered the development of effective risk analysis and simulation systems,” forcing the government to “rely primarily on models developed abroad.”
According to the latest report from the National Audit Office (NAO), more than 84,000 homes, shops, schools, and religious buildings are in high-risk areas. However, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has left a significant portion of the high-risk areas unmapped.
The audit report revealed that out of the 25,649 square kilometres selected for detailed mapping at a 1:10,000 scale, only 10,560 had been surveyed when the audit was conducted.
Thus, some 15,089 square kilometres have not been assessed, with thousands of structures in a potentially vulnerable situation; once the work is completed, the landscape of the upcountry could reveal further changes.
According to researchers Pradeepa Gunasinghe and Ajantha Mendis, “preparing landslide-prone area maps at a scale of 1:10,000 requires a large amount of field data, as well as significant financial resources and time.”
Unlike 1:50,000-scale maps, detailed mapping is labour-intensive and requires “more time and money than what Sri Lanka can currently sustain.” But Once completed, the topography and landscape of Sri Lanka’s upcountry will change significantly.”
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Colombo, Dec. 21 (Daily Mirror) – The Indian pharmaceutical company Maan Pharmaceutical (Pvt) Ltd., has informed Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health that it is willing to bear the full cost of testing the withdrawn batches of the Ondansetron injection at an internationally recognised laboratory.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry, the company requested that the relevant batches be referred for independent testing and stated that ensuring the injection samples were stored under proper conditions prior to testing is the responsibility of the Sri Lankan health authorities.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on December 13 ordered the immediate withdrawal of four batches of the Ondansetron injection manufactured by Maan Pharmaceutical from use in both state and private hospitals.
The decision followed suspicions of possible contamination in the drug, which allegedly led to the deaths of two patients. It has been confirmed that the drug in question had been administered during their course of treatment.
Nevertheless, investigations are currently underway to determine whether the deaths are linked to the injection.
In its letter, Maan Pharmaceutical reiterated its request for the immediate referral of the withdrawn batches for international testing and reaffirmed its readiness to cover all related costs, while emphasising the importance of verifying that the samples had been stored in compliance with required quality standards.
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Dr Channa Jayasumana, former State Minister of Health, Courtesy Daily Mirror
Rural and underprivileged children will bear the heaviest burden, while the privileged few will secure alternatives through private and foreign systems
Decisions that affect the future of an entire nation cannot be entrusted to incompetence, arrogance, or ideological fixation
Dr Channa Jayasumana, former State Minister of Health
The proposed education reforms currently being pushed by the government must be stopped immediately.
Their implementation without broad consultation, empirical evidence, or national consensus amounts to a reckless experiment imposed on the children of Sri Lanka. Education policy determines the intellectual, cultural, and economic future of the nation, and such far-reaching reforms cannot be rushed through based on ideological preferences or external prescriptions.
Sri Lanka’s free education system is one of the greatest achievements of the modern state. These reforms directly threaten its survival by weakening examinations, diluting academic accountability, and paving the way for inequality and privatisation. Once the structured framework of free education is dismantled, it will never be restored. Rural and underprivileged children will bear the heaviest burden, while the privileged few will secure alternatives through private and foreign systems.
The proposal to abolish or marginalise examinations is educationally disastrous. Examinations provide structure, discipline, and motivation. Removing them may appear compassionate, but in reality, it is cruel. It gives temporary relief to students who struggle, while permanently damaging their future prospects. Without clear standards, students will drift away from the curriculum, teachers will lose accountability, and the overall quality of education will collapse.
Attempts to justify these reforms by citing Scandinavian education models are fundamentally flawed. Sri Lanka does not share the socio-economic conditions, institutional capacity, classroom sizes, or welfare support systems of those countries. Blindly importing foreign models without contextual adaptation reflects policy incompetence and an alarming disconnect from national realities.
Even more disturbing is the deliberate curtailment of history education and the systematic weakening of Sri Lanka’s civilizational consciousness. History is being sidelined to serve third-party agendas that seek to erase national identity. Sri Lanka’s civilisation is deeply rooted in Buddhist values, which have shaped its moral, social, and cultural framework for over two millennia. There is a clear and intentional effort to divert schoolchildren from these values and replace clarity with confusion.
Teaching other religions must remain strictly optional. Imposing alternative religious beliefs under the pretext of inclusivity violates the fundamental rights of Buddhist schoolchildren and undermines constitutional safeguards. Respect for diversity cannot be achieved by eroding the cultural and religious foundation of the majority. Given the magnitude and irreversible consequences of these reforms, their implementation must be suspended with immediate effect. A comprehensive national dialogue must be initiated involving all stakeholders: teachers, university academics, educationists, parents, students, religious leaders, and professional bodies. No reform has legitimacy without informed public consent.
If these reforms are pushed through without such consultation, the entire responsibility will lie squarely with Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Education. At present, the Minister has demonstrated neither the academic depth, administrative experience, nor the intellectual capacity required to introduce reforms of this scale and consequence. Decisions that affect the future of an entire nation cannot be entrusted to incompetence, arrogance, or ideological fixation.
Sri Lanka does not need rushed experiments or externally driven agendas. It needs a stable, rigorous, culturally grounded education system developed through wisdom, experience, and national consensus. Until such conditions are met, these reforms must not proceed—even by a single step.
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Colombo, Dec. 21 (Daily Mirror) – The Kolonna Police Station in Embilipitiya has launched an investigation following allegations that a group, including Ratnapura District National People’s Power (NPP) MP Shantha Padmakumara, had attacked a police officer while he was returning home after completing his duty.
The officer, attached to the Suriyakanda Police Station, is currently receiving treatment at the Embilipitiya Hospital for injuries reportedly sustained in the attack on Saturday night (20).
According to reports, the officer had recently participated in a cannabis raid conducted by the Suriyakanda Police on a land belonging to the MP’s father-in-law.
The officer claimed that the MP and others had arrived in a vehicle, threatened and attacked him.
He lodged a complaint with the Kolonna Police and investigations are underway under the direction of the Officer-in-Charge of the Embilipitiya Division.
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Torrential rains lashed the southern coastal belt yesterday evening (20), leaving several major roads in Galle and Weligama underwater and causing significant disruption to commuters.
In Galle, the flooding was particularly severe on several critical routes, including the Galle – Matara main road, the Galle – Baddegama main road, Galle Main Street and several internal roads within the historic Galle Fort.
Local residents have expressed frustration, pointing out that the flooding isn’t just a “natural” disaster.
They cite the authorities’ failure to clean the city’s drainage systems and the proliferation of unauthorised constructions over canals as the primary reasons why even moderate rainfall now leads to inundated streets.
The situation was mirrored in Weligama, where persistent heavy downpours have similarly left multiple town roads submerged.
As the Northeast Monsoon continues to settle in, these coastal towns remain vulnerable to further flash flooding if the infrastructure isn’t addressed—and quickly.
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The Department of Irrigation says that 89 reservoirs under its management are continuing to overflow due to the prevailing rainy weather.
Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department, L. S. Sooriyabandara, stated that the Mahaweli River remains at a minor flood level in the Manampitiya area.
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an immediate disbursement of approximately USD 206 million under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to assist Sri Lanka in the wake of the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah.
Speaking shortly after the Executive Board’s decision, IMF Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou, emphasised that while the funds are provided without the typical conditionalities of an Extended Fund Facility (EFF), the government must maintain strict fiscal discipline.
Transparency and accountability in emergency spending
Papageorgiou stressed that emergency funds must be managed with high standards of transparency to ensure they reach the intended recovery efforts.
“All emergency spending should be executed in full compliance with the Public Financial Management Act and supported by enhanced monitoring and regular public reporting in line with transparency and accountability standards. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka should continue to refrain from monetary financing of the budget.”
He further noted that public investment management reforms will be vital to “prioritise reconstruction projects and ensure value for money.”
The nature of the RFI vs EFF
Unlike the ongoing Extended Fund Facility, the RFI is a one-time injection of liquidity designed for urgent needs.
“RFI is a single disbursement. So today’s board meeting is just for that. There are no other purchases or disbursements after this. As such, there is also no review of on-programme conditionality, unlike the EFF, which is an ongoing, long-standing engagement with the country.”
Catalytic effect and debt sustainability
The IMF believes this disbursement will act as a signal to other international donors to provide further support.
“This 206 million USD disbursement from the rapid financing instrument will not undermine Sri Lanka’s good progress toward its sustainability. It will increase Sri Lanka’s IMF credit commitment by a relatively small amount… I would instead point to the catalytic effect that this access can have because this ensures that the authorities’ response can be augmented, and there is quick access to additional financing, not only from the IMF but also from other development partners, as well as bilateral donors.”
Repayment terms and interest rates
Papageorgiou clarified that the RFI offers more favourable terms than borrowing from the primary market or issuing domestic bonds.
“The repayment of the RFI has a grace period of three and a quarter years, and it starts to get repaid up to five years after that… The basic rate of charge right now, for the week of December 15th to 21st, is 3.274%. Even with [potential] surcharges, the cost of borrowing from the RFI is lower than the country borrowing in the primary market.”
Economic outlook following the disaster
The IMF has adjusted its short-term projections for Sri Lanka, citing supply chain disruptions and infrastructure damage.
·Inflation is expected to rise in the short term due to food shortages.
·Current Account is likely to widen over the next 6–12 months due to increased imports for construction and food.
·A potential reduction in agricultural exports and tourism earnings is anticipated.
Next steps: Renegotiating the EFF
With the fifth review of the EFF delayed by the cyclone, an IMF team is slated to visit Sri Lanka early next year.
“A significant natural disaster and significant events such as Cyclone Ditwah and ensuing damages require a very careful understanding of all these effects on programme parameters, on economic policies, and how the reforms that have already been planned for the EFF… fit into the next phase of the programme”
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The Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry reveals that 93 types of medicines used in government hospitals failed quality assurance tests so far this year.
Among these substandard items, 42 originate from India, marking the highest contribution from a single source.
The remaining failed samples include 25 locally manufactured drugs, along with products from China, Pakistan, Japan, and Bangladesh.
The Health Ministry took immediate action to withdraw, temporarily suspend, or completely halt the use of several batches identified as poor quality.
Significant concern surrounds the ‘Ondansetron’ injection, used to control vomiting, following the deaths of two patients.
Scientific investigations are currently underway to confirm if these fatalities resulted from complications related to the drug.
Health Ministry records show 600 instances of drug quality failure in the country since 2017.
The highest number of failures occurred in 2019 with 96 cases, while 2024 saw 83 reported incidents.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) continues to tighten inspection protocols to prevent substandard medication from endangering patient lives.
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The leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has chaired a high-level meeting at his Flower Road office to discuss his impending departure from the party leadership.
Representatives from several political parties gathered in Colombo yesterday (18) for the special session.
The primary focus of the deliberations was Wickremesinghe’s decision to step down as the head of the United National Party (UNP).
The meeting served as a platform to navigate the transition of power and address the future trajectory of the party following his exit.
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The International Monetary Fund Executive Board has approved an immediate disbursement of approximately US$206 million to Sri Lanka to help the nation navigate the aftermath of the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah. This emergency support is provided through the Rapid Financing Instrument and is equivalent to 26 percent of the country’s quota. The funding arrives at a critical juncture as the nation faces urgent balance-of-payments needs and significant fiscal pressures resulting from the natural disaster that struck on November 28.
The impact of Cyclone Ditwah has been described as devastating, claiming more than 600 lives and affecting millions of citizens across the island. Heavy flooding and widespread landslides have displaced over 100,000 people and destroyed critical infrastructure, creating a massive humanitarian and reconstruction challenge. The IMF noted that these unforeseen circumstances necessitated immediate financial intervention to preserve macroeconomic stability while the government begins the difficult task of rebuilding livelihoods.
Because of the scale of the disaster, the IMF and Sri Lankan authorities have agreed to defer the Fifth Review under the existing Extended Fund Facility. This pause allows the government and the Fund necessary time to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cyclone’s economic impact. By deferring the review until early 2026, both parties can ensure that the ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts are integrated into the broader IMF-supported reform program without compromising long-term policy objectives or debt sustainability.
Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura commended the Sri Lankan government for its swift response to the crisis, noting that the relief measures were supported by strong fiscal performance earlier in 2025. He emphasized that while reconstruction needs will be substantial, the authorities remain dedicated to fiscal prudence. To ensure accountability, all emergency spending is expected to be executed in full compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, supported by enhanced monitoring and regular public reporting to maintain transparency.
While the Sri Lankan economy is still emerging from a deep economic crisis, the IMF highlighted that the current reform agenda has already led to a robust economic recovery and price stability. However, the economy remains vulnerable as GDP has not yet returned to pre-crisis levels. The IMF reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Sri Lanka, stating that close engagement will continue until the mission team returns in early 2026 to resume formal discussions on the long-term reform program.
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Fifteen days after Cyclone Ditwah tore through the country, the floodwaters have receded and the immediate shock has given way to reflection. As of December 14, 2025, the bodies recovered from landslides have been laid to rest, survivors, whose homes were wiped out, are sheltered in Suraksha centres, and daily life has begun to inch forward. Roads, nearly 80 percent of them, have been reopened, power and water restored, and communities, through individual resolve and collective effort, have cleared homes and roads, even as heaps of damaged belongings still line the roadsides. Now, as the initial dust settles, the nation stands at a critical moment: beyond recovery, it is time to confront the deeper structural weaknesses laid bare by Ditwah.
Cyclone Ditwah has emerged as a defining test for Sri Lanka, both for the newly elected NPP government, facing its first major natural disaster, and for a nation still recovering from the economic collapse of 2022 and navigating the constraints of an IMF bailout programme. The storm not only challenged the country’s disaster-response machinery but also revealed the resilience of its people, the strengths of its leadership, and the gaps that must be urgently addressed as climate-related catastrophes become increasingly frequent.
Presidential Leadership in Times of National Crisis
From the earliest hours of the cyclone’s impact, President Anura Kumara Dissanayakatook an active and visible role in directing the government machinery. His rapid mobilisation of state institutions, technical agencies, and the Armed Forces helped Sri Lanka confront a multi-layered and complex emergency that spanned damaged roads, disrupted power lines, unsafe water supplies, landslides, and widespread displacement. The administration’s coordination, during these initial hours, set the tone for what became one of the most intensive emergency-response efforts in recent years. Mobilising and coordinating government institutions solely through presidential initiative is not an ideal administrative practice. A resilient state must, instead, ensure that its institutions are structurally prepared to act seamlessly when disaster strikes, closing the systemic gaps exposed by Cyclone Ditwah.
The President’s visits to all affected districts strengthened on-the-ground coordination by bringing together district coordinating committees, public officials, political representatives, and community organisations to align relief and reconstruction with local realities, while also helping to identify bottlenecks and clarify institutional responsibilities. However, these same district-level meetings exposed serious shortcomings in disaster governance: weak inter-agency communication, unclear response mandates, gaps in early-warning systems, and uneven political leadership at the local level. In several instances, critical information failed to reach the right actors in time, and some elected representatives were slow to engage, prompting the President to direct provincial governors to personally assess landslide-prone areas—underscoring the urgent need for a more robust, integrated disaster-management framework and stronger local political participation during crises.
Cyclone Ditwah serves as a powerful reminder that Sri Lanka must prepare better, long before the next storm arrives. Effective disaster response depends not only on the commitment of the central government and security forces but also on pre-trained communities and seamless cooperation between agencies at every administrative tier. This article seeks to contribute to a constructive national conversation on the lessons learned from Cyclone Ditwah. The intention is not to assign blame but to highlight the insights necessary to build a more resilient, better-coordinated system capable of protecting lives and livelihoods in the face of future disasters.
Equally notable was the spontaneous civic mobilisation that unfolded across the country. Communities self-organised to clear debris, distribute food, assist vulnerable families, and provide temporary shelter, demonstrating a deep social solidarity that often surfaces during national crises. In many affected districts, local volunteers were the first to reach remote or isolated areas, complementing government and military operations.
Rethinking Responses to Recurrent Climate Emergencies
Sri Lanka is no stranger to weather-related disasters, and Cyclone Ditwah is neither the first nor the last event the nation will confront. Over the past decade alone, the country has endured floods, landslides, droughts, and cyclones of varying intensity. These recurring emergencies underscore an undeniable truth: climate-related shocks are now a structural part of Sri Lanka’s future, demanding a disaster-management system that is agile, integrated, and continuously updated.
After the devastation of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Sri Lanka invested significant effort in building its institutional infrastructure for disaster risk reduction. Agencies were established, frameworks were drafted, and early-warning mechanisms were introduced with the hope of preventing a repeat of such a tragedy. Yet the experience of Cyclone Ditwah has revealed that many of these institutions have become moribund—functioning in isolation, following outdated protocols, and lacking the coordination needed for an effective national response. While the systems technically exist, they are not fully aligned with the mission they were created to serve. Too many agencies operate within narrowly defined mandates and fail to communicate or integrate their work with related entities. This siloed approach weakens the overall national response and limits the ability of institutions to mobilise collectively when disaster strikes.
Once again Ditwah highlighted the need for reliable early-warning system that requires constant technological upgrading. A robust interface between technologyand institutional networks is essential. Advanced and accessible communication technologies—early-warning systems, mobile alerts, satellite data, and community-level dissemination platforms— should play a crucial role in transforming timely information into effective action. Timely alerts, data-sharing mechanisms, communication networks, and community-level outreach must keep pace with global standards and evolving climatic threats. The gaps observed during Cyclone Ditwah indicate that Sri Lanka’s early warning systems need stronger digital infrastructure, better interoperability, and clearer channels for dissemination to all communities, especially those in vulnerable zones. Disaster risk management cannot rely solely on community participation.
Building a Disaster Management Architecture
Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 in the aftermath of the devastating island-wide floods in 1947. Since then, the country has repeatedly faced severe natural disasters—particularly windstorms and floods—in 1957, 1964, 1969, 1976, 1986, and 1989. Yet, despite this long and painful history, no single, dedicated institutional mechanism existed, within the state, to manage disaster-related activities, until the mid-1990s. Responsibility for disaster response remained fragmented across multiple agencies, largely operating under the broad and limited mandate of social services.
A decisive institutional shift began in 1994 with the establishment of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, under the Ministry of Social Welfare. The NDMC was tasked with coordinating disaster preparedness, mitigation, emergency response, recovery, and long-term rehabilitation and development. It also initiated the development of a comprehensive legal and policy framework for disaster management. By 2000, the NDMC had completed draft versions of the Disaster Management Bill and the National Disaster Management Plan. However, these initiatives stalled and were never formally adopted following the change of government in 2001.
The catastrophic human, economic, and social consequences of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami starkly exposed the limitations of this incomplete framework and underscored the urgent need for a systematic and comprehensive approach to disaster management. In response, disaster preparedness was elevated to a national priority, and on 10 February, 2005, a bipartisan Parliamentary Select Committee was appointed. Its mandate was to examine gaps in preparedness revealed by the Tsunami of 26 December, 2004, assess the absence of effective early-warning mechanisms, and recommend measures to strengthen institutional readiness and reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
The Parliamentary Select Committee met 28 times and produced a wide-ranging report within a short span, marking a decisive policy moment in Sri Lanka’s approach to disaster management. Its findings laid bare deep structural weaknesses in hazard mapping and risk assessment, preparedness, early-warning systems, mitigation, emergency response, and public awareness. Acting on these recommendations, Parliament enacted the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005—finally providing a legal foundation for coordinated disaster governance.
The Disaster Management Act of 2005 brought forward significant changes in the institutional framework for disaster management. It created the National Council for Disaster Management (NCDM), a high-level political body, chaired by the President, with the Prime Minister as Vice Chair, and established the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) as the country’s lead implementing agency. The DMC was mandated to coordinate disaster risk reduction at national and sub-national levels, supported by Disaster Management Committees at district and divisional levels. A dedicated Cabinet Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights followed in 2006, later streamlined as the Ministry of Disaster Management in 2010. On paper, this architecture promised coherence, authority, and reach.
Parallel to the setting up of new institutional framework for disaster management, the process of disaster management policy planning and policy formulation has taken a new turn. ‘The Disaster Management Policy of 2010’, prepared by DMC, in 2010, was adopted as the main policy line for disaster management. Furthermore, DMC developed ‘The National Disaster Management Plan of 2013-2017’(NDMP) in 2014 as the overall guiding document covering intended activities of the major phases–mitigation, preparedness, emergency operations and post disaster activities, such as relief, recovery and reconstruction. Training, public awareness and education are also covered in the above phases. It envisaged a multi-sector approach in which involvement of NGOs and CBOs are expected to translate policies into tangible action. Further, in 2014, NCDM approved the Sri Lanka Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (SLCDMP) for 2014-2018 to reduce disaster and climate risks by minimising impacts on people, properties, and the economy. SLCDMP also presented a comprehensive roadmap to improve capacity of local level operators by institutionalising local level support in its planning. It was prepared by the National Disaster Management Coordinating Committee (NDMCC), a multi-stakeholder national platform, established in November 2007 who also plays a key role in implementing disaster risk reduction strategies in the country. This is a clear manifestation of confusion and duplication of disaster management work.
Technological and informational capacities improved with the establishment of a Disaster Information System in 2008, supported by UNDP, and the gradual rollout of nationwide early-warning systems. Responsibility for hazard monitoring was formally vested in the Meteorological Department and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, operating through the Disaster Management Centre’s Emergency Operations Centre. While these developments marked genuine progress, their effectiveness has remained uneven in practice. International partners, such as UNDP, have produced extensive analyses and recommendations, but ultimate responsibility of implementation rests with domestic institutions. The core problem lies not in the absence of information, but in weak implementation, limited inter-agency cooperation, and persistent administrative inaction.
Fragmented Institutions and the Cost of Poor Coordination
At the heart of these shortcomings are deeper features of Sri Lanka’s political and administrative culture. Disaster management has frequently been treated as a politically advantageous domain—offering visibility and access to state resources—resulting in its fragmentation across multiple ministries and agencies. This dispersion undermines integrated planning, weakens accountability, and hampers coordination precisely when speed and clarity are most critical. The consequences of inadequate preparedness, poor inter-agency coordination, and inconsistent public messaging have repeatedly emerged during major crises. This was evident in the MV X-Press Pearl disaster in May 2021, where information on hazardous cargo damage was not shared across agencies. Similarly, the lack of inter-agency communication was a prominent issue during Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025.
Technological and informational capacities improved with the establishment of a Disaster Information System in 2008, supported by UNDP, and the gradual rollout of nationwide early-warning systems. Responsibility for hazard monitoring was formally vested in the Meteorological Department and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, operating through the Disaster Management Centre’s Emergency Operations Centre. However, their effectiveness has remained uneven in practice.
International partners, such as UNDP and other multi-lateral agencies, have produced extensive analyses and recommendations, but ultimate responsibility of implementation rests with domestic institutions. The core problem lies not in the absence of information and recommendations , but in weak implementation, limited inter-agency cooperation, and persistent administrative inaction.
NGOs: Critical Actors with Structural Limits
Another critical dimension of Sri Lanka’s disaster-management landscape is the prominent role played by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and, to a lesser extent, private-sector institutions across almost every phase of the disaster-management cycle. Their contribution is especially visible at the community level, where state reach is often limited. It is, however, important to distinguish between spontaneous voluntary community action and the more structured, project-driven modes of operation, typical of NGOs. This distinction does not diminish the importance of NGOs; rather, it helps clarify both their strengths and their limitations within a national disaster-management framework.
NGO engagement is particularly valuable in Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), where sustained local participation is essential. Through CBDRM initiatives, NGOs help Disaster-Risk Communities identify, analyse, and monitor risks, develop locally appropriate mitigation strategies, and strengthen coping capacities. Many international humanitarian organisations coordinate their work through the UN Humanitarian Country Team, while several local initiatives demonstrate the transformative potential of community-centred action. The Community Tsunami Early-Warning Centre (CTEC) in Peraliya, established with the support of two foreign donors and a Sri Lankan medical doctor, is a notable example. Equipped with round-the-clock internet-linked computers receiving real-time alerts from the US Geological Survey, CTEC has built a network of 30 focal points across the Galle District, each comprising 10 village representatives—illustrating how informed communities can play a frontline role in risk mitigation.
The Sarvodaya Community Disaster Risk Management Centre in Moratuwa further underscores the constructive role NGOs can play. Sarvodaya has worked to establish disaster-management committees linked with government district-level officers, strengthening coordination between communities and the state. In partnership with LIRNEasia, it has also developed early-warning systems designed to deliver alerts directly to households. With more than 50,000 community-based organisations, Sri Lanka possesses a potentially powerful grassroots network capable of making a decisive impact on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. These organisations have been tasked with identifying vulnerable groups within their communities and ensuring their protection during emergencies—a role they performed actively in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami.
Yet, despite this potential, Sri Lankan NGOs, as a sector, suffer from persistent structural weaknesses. Many remain heavily dependent on international donor funding and tend to become inactive once external financing diminishes. Over time, this has led to cycles of intense activity during high-profile disasters, followed by organisational stagnation and decline. Unless NGO engagement is better integrated into long-term national planning, supported by stronger domestic institutional linkages and sustainable funding mechanisms, their contribution will remain episodic rather than transformative.
Early Warning Systems: From Forecasting to Community Action
The recent experience of Cyclone Ditwah has once again underscored the critical importance of effective early warning systems in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to such events was starkly evident during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The first tsunami waves hit the eastern coast of Sri Lanka at approximately 6.40 a.m. on 26th December, about one hour and forty minutes after the earthquake. A secondary wave struck approximately 20 minutes later. The western coastal area was hit by the tsunami waves much later. The tsunami hit the southern coastal city of Hambantota at about 9.10 a.m. and Peraliya on the south-western coast, where the train tragedy took place, at 10.10 a.m., three and a half hours after the first wave, the tsunami hit the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. If an emergency disaster early-warning communication system were in place, at least a part of the human disaster on the Western coast could have been avoided. More than two decades later, Ditwah revealed that preparedness remains inadequate, and simply issuing statements from government agencies is insufficient. Early warnings must be actively communicated to communities, accompanied by clear action plans implemented by relevant authorities, to ensure people are informed, prepared, and able to respond effectively to impending disasters.
A landslide
Cultural and Ethnic Sensitivity in Disaster Response
One of the most important lessons highlighted by Cyclone Ditwah is the critical need for inclusivity and sensitivity in a multi-ethnic, post-conflict society like Sri Lanka. Emerging from the ashes of a devastating ethnic conflict, the country must ensure that national unity and ethnic harmony remain central to every policy and action, especially during crises. Ditwah revealed that some state institutions are not yet fully equipped to operate effectively in a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic environment. Crucial notices and statements were, at times, released solely in Sinhala, in violation of the language policy enshrined in the Constitution. While practical administrative challenges may exist, it is the responsibility of political leadership to ensure that these requirements are addressed proactively. When vital information fails to reach communities in their own languages during emergencies, those communities would experience alienation and discrimination, with potentially grave consequences. In a multi-ethnic, post-conflict society, sensitivity to ethno-political dynamics is not optional—it is imperative across all phases of disaster management: preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery.
The real challenge begins now, and Sri Lanka cannot afford complacency. Resettling displaced and vulnerable communities is a formidable task that demands more than community goodwill—government institutions must bear the brunt of these responsibilities. Piles of spoiled food and debris left unattended in cities can quickly create serious public health hazards, underscoring the need for swift and organised action. With the North-Eastern Monsoon approaching, the country must be prepared for any eventuality.
Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and Its Geopolitical Dimensions
Sri Lanka did not stand alone in the wake of Ditwah. The country received substantial international assistance—not only in emergency humanitarian relief, but also in expertise, equipment, and resources for recovery and reconstruction. This support reflects the goodwill Sri Lanka continues to command globally, while also underscoring the need for credible and efficient domestic systems capable of coordinating effectively with foreign partners. At the same time, emergency relief is never geopolitically neutral. Sri Lanka must therefore approach foreign disaster assistance with a clear understanding of its national interests—without retreating into a besieged mentality. Instead, the challenge is to manage geopolitical competition to our advantage through an approach of omni-enmeshment: engaging all major powers simultaneously through dense networks of cooperation, institutions, and partnerships, creating mutual stakes and reducing the likelihood of strategic pressure or conflict.
Rethinking Development Strategies under Climate Stress
Beyond immediate relief, Cyclone Ditwah forces us to rethink the development model we are pursuing. Decades of deforestation and unplanned urban expansion have amplified the country’s vulnerability: between 1990 and 2010, Sri Lanka lost an average of 24,500 hectares of forest per year, totaling nearly 21 percent of its forest cover (Sri Lanka Forest Information and Data, The Rainforest S.). Forests once absorbed and regulated rainwater, but their loss has accelerated floods, triggered landslides, and intensified droughts, while impervious urban surfaces exacerbate flash flooding. The country is now paying the price for these environmental and planning failures, making comprehensive, forward-looking strategies a matter of urgent necessity.
Lessons from Ditwah and the Path Forward
Cyclone Ditwah is more than a weather event—it is a wake-up call that Sri Lanka must strengthen its resilience against future disasters. Fragmented responsibility, weak inter-agency coordination, and inconsistent communication are vulnerabilities that put lives and livelihoods at risk. We are compelled to face the challenges posed by extreme weather events repeatedly in the future. Learning and applying the lessons of Cyclone Ditwah is crucial for political leaders, state institutions, NGOs, and communities alike. Only by building a culture of preparedness, accountability, and coordination can the nation shift crisis response from reactive improvisation to proactive, life-saving action.
Prof. Gamini Kerawella can be accessed through keerawellag@gmail.com
by Prof. Gamini Keerawella
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Colombo, Dec. 19 (Daily Mirror) – The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) had initiated legal action against the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), raising serious concerns about patient safety, an official said.
The case relates to several reported deaths allegedly linked to the use of Ondansetron Injection, severe allergic reactions, and the death of a pregnant woman after antibiotics were given during a caesarean section at Galassa Maternity Hospital in Kalutara. The complaint also involves medicines imported from an Indian company that had been withdrawn during the past two years.
Speaking to the media after filing the complaint, MCPA Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the medicines under concern include antibiotics, Ondansetron used to control vomiting, Haloperidol prescribed for mental illnesses and febrile seizures, and Iron Sucrose used to treat iron deficiency. He said most of these medicines were imported between 2024 and 2025.
Dr. Sanjeewa said that more than 100 batches of medicines imported from India have been temporarily or permanently withdrawn over the past two years due to quality issues. He criticized the Health Ministry, the Drug Regulatory Authority, and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), saying drug regulation in the country has collapsed. He pointed to unsafe storage of imported medicines and repeated regulatory failures.
The Indian company should be banned or blacklisted over importing over the past two years. The Health Ministry and the Minister should hold the full responsibility over the incidents.
He called on responsible health officials to step down and urged the public to take medicines only under proper medical advice. He said the large number of withdrawals shows the urgent need for strong reforms in drug regulation and procurement, the MCPA chairman said.
According to Dr. Sanjeewa, the complaint highlights negligence by the former Executive Director of the Drug Regulatory Authority during the former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella administration, the current Drug Regulatory Authority, and the State Drug Corporation. The allegations include importing medicines without proper registration, failing to test random samples before and after supplying drugs to hospitals, and not properly investigating how bacteria entered vaccine vials.
The complaint also raises concerns about buying medicines from companies linked to drug quality failures, weaknesses in technical committee evaluations, poor estimation of drug stocks, approval of such stocks by the Ministry of Health, and repeated instructions to reuse medicines that had already been withdrawn.
Dr. Sanjeewa further said the complaint points to an instruction issued to reuse an expired antibiotic that had been fully withdrawn earlier due to the presence of glass particles. He warned that such actions have damaged public trust in the Drug Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Health, and that ignoring repeated warnings about failures in the health system, leading to loss of life, is a criminal offence.
He has asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to urgently investigate the matter and take legal action against those responsible, similar to previous cases involving former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and senior health officials. A separate complaint has also been filed with the Bribery Commission, calling for an investigation into possible financial gains and corruption linked to the issue.
Meanwhile, the NMRA has ordered hospitals to temporarily stop using ten medicines until their manufacturing processes are confirmed to meet safety standards. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama also told the Daily Mirror that an urgent circular has been sent to PTC Medical (Pvt) Ltd, instructing the company to stop distributing injectable medicines made by Maan Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India until further notice.
The decision was taken following recommendations by the Safety and Risk Evaluation Subcommittee on December 16, 2025, after repeated reports of adverse drug reactions, including deaths. Early investigations by a consultant microbiologist at the National Hospital in Kandy also raised safety concerns.
PTC Medical, the market authorization holder, has confirmed that the affected medicines have been withdrawn from the private sector. Further testing is now being carried out at the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory to check their safety, quality, and effectiveness.
The affected medicines include Ondansetron Injection, Cefotaxime, Co-amoxiclav, Haloperidol Injection, Imipenem with Cilastatin, Iron Sucrose Injection, Meropenem, Piperacillin with Tazobactam, and Sulbactam with Cefoperazone. PTC Medical said the withdrawal is a precautionary step and asked all private hospitals and distributors to comply immediately.
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Sri Lanka plans $ 6 billion in extra spending in 2026 to fund the country’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah, which killed more than 640 people and affected 3 million people, and floods and landslides caused by the cyclone left extensive damage throughout the country.
The government convened parliament on Thursday, to discuss what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has described as the most challenging natural disaster to hit the island.
The government has already asked the International Monetary Fund for $200 million from a rapid relief fund and has secured World Bank agreement to repurpose $120 million from an ongoing project for disaster recovery spending. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka also secured a $200 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to finance water management, the first such funding since the cyclone.
The Finance Ministry said the funds would be used to complete a canal network in the North-Central Province, which was among the worst affected by flooding last month.”The objective of the project is to enhance agricultural productivity, farmer incomes and climate resilience in the NCP,” the Ministry said.
The World Bank has said it is in the process of assessing the damage caused by the cyclone, while Colombo has said preliminary estimates suggest it may need up to $7 billion to rebuild. The cyclone struck as the country was emerging from its worst ever economic meltdown in 2022, when it ran out of foreign exchange reserves to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel and medicines.
AFP / Yahoo News UK
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Africa with 15, Europe with 10 and the United States with 2. Two-thirds of the victims recorded in 2025 were killed in an area of armed conflict (108). Among the countries most affected, the PEC deplores the deaths of 15 media workers in Yemen, including 13 in an Israeli attack on 10 September. Faced with violence from drug traffickers, Mexico remains a country with the highest number of journo-victims, with nine murders in 2025. The situation in Sudan has also worsened due to ongoing fighting, with at least eight deaths among Sudanese media personnel.
The PEC counted six victims in India, five in Ecuador and five in Pakistan. Four were killed in Bangladesh, four in Iran, targeted by an Israeli attack in Tehran, and four in the Philippines. In Peru, three journalists were murdered. There were also three victims in Syria. Next came Afghanistan, Colombia, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States, with 2 killed in each country. One death was recorded in each of the following countries: Brazil, Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tanzania, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
Among the PEC’s main concerns, impunity remains a major problem. In the absence of independent investigations and prosecutions, these crimes are on the rise. The PEC supports the recommendation issued by the conference on the protection of journalists in armed conflicts, which met in Doha of Qatar, on 8 and 9 October, calling for the creation of an international commission of inquiry under the auspices of the UN pending the adoption of an international convention on the protection of journalists in conflict zones with the creation of an internationally recognised press emblem. The PEC is also very concerned about the increase in the number of individual requests for support it has received from persecuted journalists seeking safe asylum. Journalists from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Syria, Turkey and Sudan have requested assistance from the PEC.
Unfortunately, democratic governments are increasingly closed to such requests and persecuted journalists face almost systematic rejection of their asylum application. This is distressing,” said the PEC chief, clarifying that unlike other organisations, the PEC includes all journalists killed in its statistics, regardless of whether their death was related to their professional activity. It is difficult to prove that a crime was committed in connection with a journalist’s work without a thorough and independent investigation, which is often lacking.
PEC’s south and southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that India lost six media professionals to assailants this year, compared to four in 2024, including Mukesh Chandrakar (stringer to NDTV from Bastar, Chhattisgarh), Raghavendra Vajpayee (Dainik Jagaran from Imalia Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh), Sahadev Dey (Republic Andaman, from Diglipur, Andaman islands), Dharmendra Singh Chauhan (Fast News India, Gurugram, Haryana), Naresh Kumar (Times Odia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha) and Rajeev Pratap Singh (Delhi Uttarakhand Live, Joshiyara, Uttarakhand) till date. On the other hand, Pakistan that witnessed murder of 12 media persons last year, recorded the killing of AD Shar (Hum News, Khairpur, Sindh), Abdul Latif (Daily Intekhab/Aaj News, Awaran, Balochistan), Syed Mohammed Shah (Ab-Tak TV, Jacobabad, Sindh), Imtiaz Mir (Metro One News, Karachi, Sindh) and Tufail Rind (Royal News, Ghotki, Sindh) this year.
Bangladesh, which reported the murder of seven media workers last year, recorded the killing of Assaduzzaman Tuhin (Dainik Pratidiner Kagoj, Gazipur), Bibhuranjan Sarkar (Ajker Patrika, Munshiganj), Wahed-uz-Zaman Bulu (Dainik Ajker Kagoj, Dhaka) and Khandahar Shah Alam (Dainik Matrijagat, Dhaka) in 2025. Philippines with only one casualty last year also lost four journalists namely Juan Johny Dayang (Philippine Graphic Magazine, Aklan), Erwin Labitad Segovia (Radio WOW FM, Bislig City), Noel Bellen Samar (DWTZ, Guinabatan) and Gerry Campos (Barangay Sta. Cruz, Surigao del Sur) this year. Afghanistan lost two scribes namely Abdul Ghafoor Abid (Paktia National Radio Television, Khost) and Abdul Zahir Safi (State run media outlet, Kabul) this year, even though it had no journo-casualty in 2024. Nepal, which recorded one journo-murder last year, repeated with the killing of Suresh Rajak (Avenues TV, Kathmandu) in 2025. Myanmar, which lost three scribes last year, Cambodia (lost 1) and Indonesia (1) evaded any media casualty this time.
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Ministry officials have submitted their estimates for the recent disaster’s infrastructure damage, immediately raising questions over the total national cost.
The Road Development Authority informed the Parliamentary Oversight Committee that it incurred a Rs. 75 billion loss.
The damage includes 316 roads and 40 bridges, with approximately Rs. 190 billion required for complete restoration and repair.
Separately, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board reported estimated losses of Rs. 5.6 billion, and the Ceylon Electricity Board incurred a loss of about Rs. 20 billion.
These figures come to light amid great uncertainty regarding the total quantification of national damage.
While some financial experts estimate the total damage at just over $1 billion, the government’s figure is seven times that amount.
First Capital Research, in their analysis of the situation, estimates the total damage incurred by the disaster to be no more than $1.1 billion, while prominent economist, Dr Kenneth de Zilwa’s estimation is around Rs. 320 billion, which translates to little over $1 billion.
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United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that he is prepared to step down from the party leadership if his position acts as an obstacle to the unification of the United National Party and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
He made these remarks while attending the Working Committee meeting held yesterday at the party headquarters.
The Working Committee met to engage in lengthy discussions regarding several key matters concerning the UNP’s future political trajectory.
Significant focus was placed on the formation of an alliance between the UNP and the SJB.
Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised that an agreement regarding the alliance must be reached quickly and he explicitly offered to vacate the leadership if it facilitates the merger.
It was revealed during the meeting that a formal response regarding the proposed alliance has not yet been received from SJB Leader and Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa.
Representatives from both parties have held several rounds of discussions previously regarding this potential alliance, but a final consensus remains pending.
3 Reasons why the Bondi beach attack may have been inevtiable: An exclusive analysis with Prof. Rohan Gunaratna
The horrific terrorist attack that struck a Jewish Festival of Lights celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, 2025, has been definitively identified as an operation executed by a father and son with proven ties to the Islamic State (IS). The attack on the iconic Australian beach resulted in a tragic toll of 16 fatalities and at least 40 injuries. Terrorism expert Professor Rohan Gunaratna from the Nanyang Techological Campus in Singapore, provided a detailed analysis, confirming the identities of the perpetrators and outlining the complex factors that fueled their radicalisation and subsequent violence. Professor Gunaratna confirmed that the cell was comprised of 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Naveed was reportedly radicalised into the Islamic State six years prior and subsequently indoctrinated his father. According to the Professor’s findings, both individuals had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State caliph and were found to be in possession of two IS flags, leaving no doubt as to the affiliation and motivation behind the strike on the Jewish community celebration. The analysis detailed three critical, interconnected factors that drove the perpetrators towards this violent act, highlighting deep-seated issues that extend beyond the immediate incident:
1. Global Conflict and Radicalisation: Professor Gunaratna pointed to the ongoing developments in Gaza as a major catalyst for radicalisation globally. Following the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 and the subsequent conflict, worldwide protests have intensified the radicalisation of certain Muslim segments, turning religious extremism into an increasingly global phenomenon. 2. Failure of Integration: While acknowledging the inherent kindness of Australians towards migrants, the Professor noted that significant portions of the Muslim migrant community had failed to integrate properly. These groups often reside in ethnic and religious enclaves, effectively importing problems from their home countries into Australia. He stressed that a robust integration strategy is desperately needed. 3. Lack of Inter-Religious Harmony: The analysis concluded that the absence of sufficient inter-religious harmony—specifically between Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and Jews—is a crucial factor. Gunaratna cautioned strongly against allowing religious hatred to take root between these communities.
Professor Gunaratna emphasized the critical responsibility of Muslim leadership in mitigating future threats. He urged leaders to proactively counsel their communities against conducting attacks “in the name of Allah” and to reject the influence of conspiracy theories. Crucially, the Professor called for “extraordinary effort” to build bridges and foster relationships between Muslims and all othe religious communities, stating that failure to do so guarantees the rise of extremists across the religious spectrum. For the current generation to live in peace, Professor Gunaratna concluded, the principle must be understood that there is no hierarchy in religion; instead, all faiths must universally promote moderation, toleration, and coexistence. The Sydney attack, therefore, serves as a powerful signal for governments worldwide to strengthen strategies for integrating diverse groups and promoting inter-religious dialogue before global conflicts can be imported and weaponised locally. HIRU NEWS
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