• Awaits Finance Ministry guidance 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has not yet taken any steps regarding a proposed international donor conference, as it is awaiting official guidance from the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, a Ministry official said that the Ministry has not been formally informed of any such initiative so far. “If a donor conference is to be launched, the Foreign Ministry will have to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, both locally and internationally. No such initiatives have been taken as we have not received official information on this. Once guidance is provided, we are ready to support the process."

The clarification follows an announcement by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, who said the Government was planning to hold an international donor conference in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Earlier, Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando had also spoken to the media about the proposed conference. 

Attempts to contact the Finance Ministry proved futile.