A national disaster or a crisis is most often considered a blessing in disguise since such situations provide an opportunity for any nation to rise stronger and better. The reason being the opportunities such incidents provide for the nation to unite, casting aside differences, while also gaining the ability to use the goodwill of the international community to channel support in many ways towards the rebuilding process.
Sri Lanka has faced many disasters, natural and manmade, in the past that have been decisive most often in steering the course of the country’s socio-political and economic landscapes. However, the country has witnessed in the past how national-level disasters were used by some political leaders for political posturing and to promote themselves. The 2004 tsunami and the infamous Helping Hambantota saga and the launching of a Presidential Election campaign following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are a clear reminder of this fact.
Be that as it may, Sri Lanka is once again in a similar situation that has become a defining moment for the nation. While providing many opportunities, the failure to understand the challenges at hand and properly channel the enormous goodwill could have an adverse effect on Sri Lanka, which is still a country on the mend.
Therefore, the task before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government is not an easy one.
Given President AKD’s leadership thus far, it is evident that he alone is shouldering the heavy burden of governance while most of his members in Government continue to make his task difficult by making unwarranted statements, while some have resorted to providing entertainment to the masses, even amidst a national crisis.
AKD’s address to the nation last week and his speech in Parliament on Friday (5) continue to show the heavy burdens shouldered by him as well as his leadership role.
It is in such a backdrop that the President decided to engage in a tour covering all the districts affected by Cyclone Ditwah from yesterday (6) to personally attend to the rebuilding programmes while also meeting with the affected families.
Responding to Opposition criticism and questions in the House, AKD outlined the Government’s path in rebuilding Sri Lanka following the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
He noted that 5,165 houses had been completely destroyed and 57,312 partially damaged while around 1.7 million people had been affected by the disaster. He further noted the steps taken to enable divisional and district-level officials to engage in emergency work, adding that the Government placed much trust in them.
“For the first time in Sri Lanka, a provincial secretary was given the power to spend up to Rs. 50 million. A district secretary was given the authority to spend up to Rs. 100 million. A ministry secretary was also given the authority to spend up to Rs. 100 million. We did this because we trust these officials. We do not believe that they will misuse this disaster to make wrongful gains. We place strong confidence in them,” he stated.
In his address to the nation early last week, AKD also noted that the Government had the financial capacity and institutional framework to rebuild damaged infrastructure and restore essential services despite the scale of the destruction.
“From previous budget allocations, approximately Rs. 30 billion is available for immediate expenditure without parliamentary approval. These funds have been designated specifically for this purpose,” he said, adding that financial ceilings on officials had been relaxed to speed up relief, noting that divisional secretaries were now permitted to spend up to Rs. 50 million directly for emergency purposes.
However, as expected during periods of disasters, prices of essential food commodities, especially vegetables and proteins like fish, have witnessed a significant increase with shortages also looming in the market. The consequences of the destruction of many vegetable cultivations due to the floods and earthslips are beginning to be felt in the market.
Meanwhile, an initial communication said to have been prepared by the Foreign Ministry and publicised by some media outlets had noted that Sri Lanka required Rs. 31 billion as of 28 November for the restoration of agriculture, irrigation tanks, and damaged canals.
The statement outlining the need for international assistance had reportedly noted that Rs. 15 billion would be required for the restoration of paddy lands and vegetable crops destroyed by heavy rains, Rs. 4.8 billion for the restoration of minor irrigation tanks, Rs. 900 million for the repair of anicuts, Rs. 8.3 billion for minor irrigation systems, and Rs. 1.8 billion for irrigation canals.
However, following this initial appeal, further destruction was revealed with significant damage being reported from the Eastern Province as well.
The Sri Lankan Government, together with multilateral donor agencies, is in the process of preparing an estimate of the cost of the damage as well as the requirements for the rebuilding programme.
National Council
President AKD in his speech in the House also invited all political parties and representatives in Parliament to serve as a National Council to rebuild Sri Lanka.
“I ask that, setting aside the division into Government and Opposition in this Parliament, we should function as a National Council for three or four years. Let us resolve political issues on the political battlefield. At least in the face of this disaster, let us come together around a common policy framework and work to lift the country out of this crisis.
“I invite every Member of Parliament (MP) who represents the people to act as part of a National Council and to resolve this issue in a sustainable manner over the next three to four years,” he observed.
Opposition parties have yet to respond to the President’s request and instead continue to criticise President AKD and the Government’s failure to mitigate the disaster.
Supplementary estimate
Meanwhile, the JVP/NPP’s third reading of the 2026 Budget was passed with a two-thirds majority last Friday (5). The Budget was passed with 158 votes for, one vote against, and two abstentions.
Meanwhile, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa last week called on the Government to withdraw the Budget for 2026 presented by the President last month and to do a revised spending plan tailored to support the more than 1.5 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Premadasa explained in Parliament that the Budget presented in November did not reflect the country’s post-disaster realities and called for a short delay to prepare a new relief-focused budget.
However, President AKD dismissed the call for a fresh budget, noting that the 2026 Budget presented by him was in line with economic principles to address development.
“This is not merely a collection of data. This Budget has been prepared with the aim of completing a particular economic strategy. We will not dismantle it. Some have called for an interim budget. We will not bring one. The Budget document we have presented for 2026 is part of a policy framework prepared to enable our country to attain sustainable economic development,” he stated.
He went on to explain that the Government had presented a supplementary estimate of Rs. 50 billion and that there was no need to increase the borrowing limit for this amount. “We already have allocations set aside and on that basis we have presented this supplementary estimate of Rs. 50 billion.”
However, AKD requested the parliamentary Opposition to support the Government by passing the supplementary estimate within this month. While Parliament is scheduled to convene next on 6 January 2026, the President requested that Parliament be convened on 19 December to pass the proposed supplementary estimate, which has been approved by the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).
“We are requesting you to approve a further supplementary estimate of Rs. 50 billion. Along with that, we already have Rs. 22.2 billion. That means we have Rs. 72.2 billion to spend over the next 25 days.
“Under the State of Emergency, the Prime Minister has the power to summon Parliament. Accordingly, I request Parliament to approve on the 19th this supplementary estimate I have outlined.”
Relief for the affected
On the topic of immediate relief being provided for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, President AKD has thus far announced a massive relief package covering multiple areas of need of the affected.
The first is the allocation of Rs. 25,000 to each affected family to clean and sanitise their homes and make them suitable for reoccupation. A one-off grant of Rs. 50,000 per household, regardless of ownership status, is also allocated to purchase essential kitchen equipment so that the affected homes can be reoccupied.
An allocation of Rs. 25,000 per month has been made for three months to families who have lost their homes due to landslides and are residing in displacement camps in order to enable them to move into a house. The period is expected to be extended to six months. If the family has more than two members, the amount is to be increased to Rs. 50,000 per month.
For schoolchildren affected by the disaster, steps are to be taken to provide a grant of Rs. 15,000 from the Treasury to purchase educational materials and, in addition, Rs. 10,000 from the President’s Fund, making it a total of Rs. 25,000 for each affected child.
For business premises damaged by the disaster, the Government is to provide compensation of up to Rs. 5 million per unit. For houses that have been completely destroyed and are uninhabitable due to the disaster, the Government is to give Rs. 5 million to build a new house.
The Government is to also take steps to provide State land to families that have lost land due to landslides. If State-owned land is not available for allocation, in addition to the grant for building the house, up to a further Rs. 5 million is to be provided to purchase land.
For houses that have been partially damaged by the disaster, the Government is to provide up to Rs. 2.5 million for repairs. These funds will be given in four bands of Rs. 1 million, Rs. 1.5 million, Rs. 2 million, and Rs. 2.5 million.
Also, for those whose livelihoods have been destroyed, the Government is to provide a monthly grant of Rs. 50,000 to families who have lost their homes and have been displaced, so that they can move into rented accommodation, for the months of December, January, February, and March. This grant will be given continuously during the relevant period to allow time for their means of livelihood to be re-established.
Farmers of paddy, other grains, and legumes affected by the disaster are to be provided with a grant of Rs. 150,000 per hectare. Rs. 200,000 per hectare is to be given for vegetable cultivation. Rs. 200,000 is to be given to each livestock farm registered with the veterinary office that has been affected by the disaster. Also, registered fishing boats that have been completely destroyed are to be given Rs. 400,000 for each boat.
The Government has also earmarked Rs. 80,000 million to provide loans to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has also called on licensed banks to provide relief measures to individuals and businesses whose income or operations have been directly affected by the recent disaster.
In addition, for each loss of life caused by the disaster, the Government has decided to grant Rs. 1 million to the relatives of the deceased.
Messages to AKD
Meanwhile, foreign leaders continue to engage in discussions with President AKD, expressing their condolences over the dead while also expressing commitment to support Sri Lanka in its rebuilding efforts.
The first to speak to AKD over the phone was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (1). India was the first responder to Sri Lanka’s disaster and has been engaged in rescue operations to provide relief to the affected since Cyclone Ditwah hit the country.
The next to speak to AKD was US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor, who spoke to the President on Tuesday (2). Gor has said that the US continues to monitor the situation closely and expresses its deepest condolences to those families who have lost loved ones. The President had thanked the US for the assistance provided to support relief work.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had also conveyed his condolences to President AKD over the loss of lives and extensive destruction caused by the recent floods and landslides across the island. Putin, in his message, had expressed sorrow over the human casualties and the widespread damage, stating that Russia stood with Sri Lanka during this difficult period.
Talking to the IMF
President AKD also reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last Friday (5). During the discussion with the IMF, the President, while requesting assistance from the fund considering the disaster situation in the country, had also explained that the Government was to present a supplementary estimate to Parliament to allocate funds for disaster relief work.
The IMF has confirmed that Sri Lanka has sought urgent financial support of $ 200 million from the fund under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).
IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou has stated that the request is currently under review and remains subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board before any disbursement is made. The RFI is a facility provided to countries facing sudden balance of payments pressures due to external shocks, natural disasters, or emergencies.
The IMF Executive Board, which was to take up for consideration on 15 December the sixth review of Sri Lanka that was conducted under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF), is to now consider the RFI request as well.
AKD also told Parliament that it was not possible to make changes to the IMF agreement. “To change those agreements, a review is required. We have now completed the fifth review and reached a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA). It had been planned to present this to their Executive Board on the 15th. But the situation has now changed. We are moving away from the SLA previously reached. The IMF has proposed to us that, instead of presenting it to the board in December, it be postponed to January or February. We have agreed to this. In December, we were due to receive a tranche of $ 342 million. We are in discussion about increasing that tranche. To increase it, we need both negotiations and time,” he noted.
Sajith seeks foreign assistance
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa met with a host of foreign envoys in Colombo to seek their assistance for Sri Lanka’s rebuilding programme.
He met with Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata where the duo had engaged in an extensive discussion on the current disaster situation facing Sri Lanka.
Premadasa had also requested that Japan, as a longstanding and trusted friend who has always stood by Sri Lanka in times of crisis, extend its assistance once again. He had appealed for Japan’s specialised expertise, technology, and workforce support to modernise the damaged road network and repair the severely affected railway system.
Premadasa also met with several other foreign envoys last Monday. Among them were Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno and Korean Ambassador Miyon Lee.
The meetings continued the next few days, and they included High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, German Ambassador Felix Neumann, and Italian Ambassador Damiano Francovigh.
A delegation from the World Bank headed by Country Manager for Sri Lanka Gevorg Sargsyan also met with Premadasa and an extensive discussion was held between them on rebuilding Sri Lanka.
International donor confab
Following his round of meetings with foreign envoys, Premadasa stressed the need for the convening of an international donor conference to obtain international support. He noted that the Opposition was prepared to coordinate the meeting on behalf of the Government and participate in the process together with the Government.
He further explained in Parliament that the conference would help the country secure urgent humanitarian and recovery assistance. A similar donor confab was convened in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami when the rebuilding process commenced.
The Government, meanwhile, has stated that around 70 countries have already offered to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in the wake of the disaster. Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake told Parliament that these countries had offered not only emergency assistance but assistance such as funding and machinery for rebuilding work.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath have held several meetings with foreign diplomats based in Colombo to explain the Government’s relief programmes and the required assistance.
Justifying Emergency regulations
Meanwhile, there were questions posed from members of the Opposition as to why the Government did not declare a State of Disaster rather than a State of Emergency. AKD responded to this as well. He explained that the Disaster Management Act was weak and needed to be amended and that none of the State institutions had a disaster response mechanism as outlined in the legislation.
“We declared a State of Emergency. Under the Disaster Management Act, if necessary, the President may declare that a State of Disaster exists in the whole country; if not, action can be taken under the Public Security Ordinance.
“The National Council for Disaster Management was convened for the first time in seven years on 6 August 2024. Our decision at that time was that the Disaster Management Act was weak and therefore should be amended. The Disaster Management Act is not a strong law to face a challenge of this magnitude,” he explained.
He further stated: “It is the duty of every ministry, every Government department, and every State institution to prepare a disaster management plan. But no such plan has been prepared. Accordingly, we considered that relying solely on the Disaster Management Act at this time would be weak and inadequate to face this situation. What is stronger is to exercise powers under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance.
“In a disaster of this nature, ordinary law is not sufficient for us to respond. In such a situation, we need a law that stands above the ordinary law. Under that framework, we can appoint a Commissioner General of Essential Services. That allows us to deploy necessary equipment or officials from one part of the country to another. Thus, we decided that the most appropriate law was the Public Security Ordinance. I am very grateful for the support we received from the Opposition for that.”
Distancing from Watagala
Meanwhile, President AKD also made it a point in his speech to give the reassurance that the Emergency regulations in place would not be used to clamp down on freedom of expression or democratic rights.
The President also noted that criticism of him (AKD) or any other member of the Government did not matter since there were actions that could be taken under ordinary laws to address such offences. He added that he had taken legal action against several instances where he had been defamed and the law had taken appropriate action.
What is interesting is that, through his statement, AKD distanced himself and the Government from the controversial statement made by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala where the latter had said that persons accused of criticising or insulting the President or members of the Government should be arrested under Emergency regulations. Watagala’s statement drew mass condemnation by the public as well as civil society and media organisations.
The President said in Parliament: “We will never use this Public Security Ordinance to violate the democratic rights of the people. Criticism of me or of our ministers is of no concern to us. It does not matter at all. Ordinary law exists for such matters. But if anyone attempts to frighten the public, mislead them, disturb the peaceful situation, or create conflict within a vulnerable community in a way that obstructs the plan to recover from this disaster, we will use these laws only in that respect.”
AKD also noted that action would be taken if there were attempts to create discord among the public through false comments.
“One MP said that 1,000 people had died in Gampola. If he says that outside, taking refuge in parliamentary privilege will not protect him; we will take legal action. One cannot say such things. A large proportion of the population in Gampola is from the Muslim community. They are led to believe that they are being neglected. It is for such things that we will use this law. What we need, in order to emerge from this disaster, is a very calm, peaceful, and cautious intervention.”
Questioning the fund
Another issue that was raised by the Opposition was the appointment of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Management Committee to oversee the funds that are flowing in for rebuilding work.
COPF Chairperson, MP Harsha de Silva noted that a fund called ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ could not be established without parliamentary approval and urged the Government to get it approved by Parliament.
He told the House that in terms of the Constitution, Parliament had full control over public finance and that as per the Public Financial Management Act, statutory funds could not be established at will. He further noted that the fund must be established as per the Constitution and the aforementioned act.
“We have no objections to establishing the fund. It must be established as per the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act,” de Silva said.
President AKD, however, responded to these concerns saying: “We are creating a statutory fund. Under the Public Financial Management Act, funds cannot be set up arbitrarily. A new law was introduced requiring an act of Parliament to establish a fund. That law came after seeing what happened with the tsunami fund.
“In our history, funds in this country have often been misused in very regressive ways. I have seen claims that funds are being created in violation of the law. That has not happened. We have only appointed a committee to raise funds. Out of some malicious desire, suspicion is being cast on this fund and people are claiming that racketeers are involved. The aim of this involves a reluctance to see this fund become strong. It is driven by an unhealthy craving for power.”
Threatening a criminal case
Meanwhile, members of the main Opposition SJB have threatened to initiate criminal litigation against the Government over the disaster situation in Sri Lanka.
SJB MP S.M. Marikkar likened the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah to the disaster situation following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. “Similar to the criminal case filed against the Rajapaksas for bankrupting the nation, we will file a case against the current Government, as it is responsible for every citizen who died in the disaster,” he told the media.
Seeking a PSC
Meanwhile, several Opposition MPs including Mujibur Rahman and Namal Rajapaksa have called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe the allegations that the authorities had failed to prevent the destruction by Cyclone Ditwah.
Rahman and Rajapaksa told Parliament on Wednesday (3) that a PSC would need to inquire into claims that relevant State institutions had failed to heed early warnings that were given by foreign weather forecasts as well as by the local Department of Meteorology. They noted that such a mechanism would ensure accountability.
However, a statement made by Namal that the Government should learn from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on how to handle a disaster situation resulted in criticism and ridicule on social media.
Constitutional violation?
The United National Party (UNP) meanwhile on Tuesday (2) claimed that the Government had violated the Constitution due to its failure to avert the destruction caused by the cyclone while accusing the Government of failing to activate the country’s National Disaster Management Plan during the severe flooding. The UNP stated that the omission had contributed to the scale of devastation reported across the country.
Issuing a special statement, the party has stated that the National Council for Disaster Management was legally required to formulate and implement the National Disaster Management Plan under the Disaster Management Act No.13 of 2005, but that key procedures outlined in the plan had not been followed.
Accordingly, the plan requires constant coordination with technical agencies such as the Department of Meteorology, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), along with international early warning bodies, and that it also mandates the issuance of early warnings, preparation of bulletins, and dissemination of alerts to vulnerable communities through grama niladhari divisions, media, mobile alerts, call centres, and local authorities.
The UNP has noted that the plan also outlines a “last-mile dissemination” process involving the Disaster Management Centre’s (DMC) Emergency Operation Centre, the military, Police, provincial agencies, and humanitarian organisations.
The statement has also included an infographic showing the required chain of communication from technical agencies to community-level alerts on hazards such as floods, landslides, and storms.
The party has stated that national-level annual preparedness meetings, required under Section 3.13 of the plan and involving key agencies, including the Irrigation Department and the Ministry of Health, were part of the mandated emergency readiness process. A sensitisation workshop on the 2023–2030 plan had been held in June this year, led by the DMC, with the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence as chief speaker, the statement noted.
However, the UNP has claimed that the plan had not been activated on 27 November as the country braced for the worst impacts of Cyclone Ditwah. Instead, the most critical operational day, 28 November, was declared a public holiday, and early warning communication outlined in the plan “was never activated”.
The UNP has further argued that the President had failed to invoke Sections 11 and 12 of the Disaster Management Act, which allow the declaration of a State of Disaster. As a result, the act “was never put into operation,” it said. The party also said the President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet “failed to act under the relevant provisions of the laws to mitigate the harm done by a disaster”.
Opposition walks out
Meanwhile, the Opposition walked out from the parliamentary Chamber last Monday (1) when the House convened in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
A tense situation arose in Parliament after the Opposition accused the Government of failing to provide an opportunity to hold a discussion on the policy measures required to be taken in view of the disaster situation in Sri Lanka.
Opposition MP Kabir Hashim said the disaster had occurred despite the Department of Meteorology having warned of adverse weather and possible calamities, adding that, despite the warnings, the Government had failed to pay attention or take necessary measures to prevent the disaster.
He further noted that the matter had not even been raised in Parliament for discussion, which he said could have drastically reduced the impact of the disaster.
“If we had discussed this in Parliament beforehand, and if the water was opened gradually from 12 November, we could have saved at least 75% of lives. If only we had discussed this issue in Parliament. Keep politics aside. Our views and expertise could have been used and discussed. We have faced this situation in 2016 as well,” Hashim added.
However, with the Speaker deciding to move on to the next agenda for the day’s sitting, the Opposition stated that it was leaving Parliament, as it could help those in distress instead of wasting time in Parliament.
Opposition MPs Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, and Ravi Karunanayake also expressed displeasure at the Government’s conduct while noting the need for a united effort to rebuild Sri Lanka by addressing key issues.
Ponnambalam noted that it was important to discuss the disaster and the measures required to be taken that day (Monday) and for Parliament to convene again on Friday (5) when all Opposition parties had agreed to support the passage of the third reading of the 2026 Budget.
Once the Opposition walked out of the Chamber, the Government continued with the passage of the Budget heads scheduled for the day and concluded sittings before 11 a.m.
A minute’s silence
When Parliament reconvened on Wednesday (3), Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilleka proposed that prior to commencing the day’s sessions, the House should observe a minute of silence to remember the citizens who had perished due to the recent cyclone.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa proposed that the Government announce a day of national mourning to commemorate the dead.
RW convenes meeting
While Opposition Leader Premadasa sought support for Sri Lanka from the international community, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened an all-party leaders’ meeting at his Flower Road, Colombo 7 office on Wednesday (3) to discuss the steps to be taken in the face of the adverse situation that Sri Lanka faced following Cyclone Ditwah.
UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that steps to be taken in the future would be decided at this meeting, following discussions based on the experience gained in successfully facing previous natural disasters under Wickremesinghe’s leadership.
Abeywardena noted that Wickremesinghe was expected to brief party leaders at this meeting on the steps taken during the floods of 2003 and 2016 and the post-flood period.
Wickremesinghe’s meeting was attended by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC). The main Opposition SJB had not attended the meeting.
Discussing rebuilding efforts
At the outset of the meeting, Wickremesinghe had explained in detail the shortcomings of the Government in matters related to heeding early warnings and disaster mitigation during the period of the cyclone and its immediate aftermath. He had pointed out the failure to implement the 2023–2030 National Disaster Management Plan that had been introduced in 2023.
The former President had also explained that the action plan could not be implemented since the Government had declared 28 November as a public holiday.
It was discussed that no government could face a crisis situation like the one faced by the country at present on its own and that the rebuilding effort should be carried out through the reconciliation of all parties.
During the meeting, it had been discussed that a multi-party monitoring committee should be set up to support the rebuilding efforts headed by an experienced MP and the proposal was to have the likes of Kabir Hashim head the committee. It was also noted that the rebuilding efforts and the raising of funds for the purpose should be carried out with parliamentary approval.
Participants at the meeting had agreed that such a committee should be put in place due to the Government’s lack of experience and that the rebuilding programme should be accountable to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament, Cabinet, and the DMC.
Meanwhile, the Justice For All collective, issuing a statement, called for inclusive and accountable political leadership in responding to the humanitarian crisis triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
The collective had questioned whether all necessary disaster preparedness mechanisms, including those outlined in the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, had been fully operational. It also expressed concern over the scope and relevance of Emergency regulations imposed after the State of Emergency was declared on 28 November.
The collective had further urged the Government to uphold President AKD’s commitment to limit the use of emergency powers strictly to disaster response, warning against any infringement on democratic rights.
“We also call on all political parties and actors not to politicise this catastrophic humanitarian tragedy for partisan political campaigns. Finally, we urge the Government and all political parties to come together without further delay to deliberate and agree upon measures that need to be taken in the interest of all people in the country,” the statement added.
Hitting out at JVP
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties at their meeting last Wednesday have also noted that governance powers should be taken away from Pelawatte (JVP/NPP Headquarters) and be vested with Parliament.
It was also discussed that the JVP cadre should also be removed from the district secretaries’ offices in the areas badly affected by adverse weather.
Namal’s love
Meanwhile, the SLPP’s Namal launched a programme called ‘Adaraya’ (Love) to provide stationery to children affected by the recent cyclone and to fulfil their other educational requirements.
It was also announced on Thursday (4) that Namal would be contributing his monthly salary as an MP and other allowances to the ‘Adaraya’ programme.
AKD’s PSO affected
Meanwhile, President AKD’s Personal Security Officer (PSO) Ratnayake and his family had also been affected by the recent cyclone. It was widely reported on social media that his house had also got flooded due to the adverse weather conditions.
Once the flood water started to recede, Ratnayake and his wife had started to clean their house by themselves. It is also learnt that the PSO and his wife had eaten the food received from relief workers in the area and not sought any special privileges due to his close relationship with the President.
President AKD had on several occasions telephoned Ratnayake and asked him how things were at his home and whether he required any assistance. Ratnayake, it is learnt, had responded that he did not require any assistance since he and his wife were cleaning their house and were doing fine.
It is interesting to note that the behaviour of the likes of Ratnayake during a crisis is exemplary given how persons closely affiliated to previous governments have abused their connections and powers gained as a result.
Prisoners donate lunch
Meanwhile, inmates of the Welikada Prison decided to donate their lunch last Monday (1) to the people in Colombo who were affected by the adverse weather and the dry food allocated for the preparation of the inmates’ lunch that day was donated following a request by the inmates from the prison authorities.
The dry food included 750 kg of rice, 100 kg of chickpea, 100 kg of cowpea (black-eyed peas), 100 kg of sugar, 100 kg of dhal, and several other items.
The food items were handed over to Colombo Municipal Council Deputy Mayor Hemantha Kumara.
Indo-Pak clash
Among the foreign assistance that keeps flowing into the country is the support provided by regional neighbours, led by India. However, the relief support extended by India and Pakistan also resulted in what seemed like a clash between the two archrivals.
Indian media reported on Monday that in a significant humanitarian gesture amid tense bilateral ties, India had granted permission to Pakistani relief aircraft carrying aid for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka to cross its airspace.
Indian media had further reported that Pakistan had submitted the formal request at around 1300 IST on 1 December and that Indian authorities had processed it on priority and granted clearance by 1730 IST the same day, completing the entire procedure in approximately four hours.
According to Indian media reports, the decision had been taken solely on humanitarian considerations, despite the continuing mutual closure of airspace that has been in place since the sharp escalation in April-May following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent counterterrorism effort, Operation Sindoor. Some Pakistani media reports that carried claims of denial were inaccurate, according to the Indian media reports.
However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (2) accused India of blocking a special relief aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, saying the flight had been waiting for clearance for more than 60 hours.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry said the aircraft, which was carrying emergency supplies for flood-affected Sri Lankans, had faced repeated delays due to a lack of overflight approval from India.
According to the statement, India granted only a “partial flight clearance” after 48 hours, but Pakistan described it as “operationally impractical” because the approval was valid for only a few hours and did not include permission for the return leg.
Opposition politicians in Sri Lanka then urged the Government to engage in discussions with India to allow Pakistan’s special relief aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka to cross its airspace.
CIABOC work continues
Meanwhile, former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa reported to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) last Monday.
Chamal had arrived at the CIABOC to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, former Minister C.B. Ratnayake, who arrived at the CIABOC last Tuesday to record a statement, was later arrested and remanded until 16 December.