• Claims only 3,146 still in 32 camps 

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) refuted data released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) concerning the current population in post-Ditwah relief camps.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (2), the DMC Media Spokesperson, Pradeep Kodippili said that data on Ditwah victims is being systematically gathered through District Secretariats. According to this verified information, there are currently 3,146 individuals residing in such relief camps. "We only have the data that is being confirmed by the District Secretariats. We are not aware of how the international communities’ gather data. The ones we have are the most accurate and up to date," he said.

According to the DMC's figures, there are 32 safety centres operating across the country. This includes 16 centres in the Badulla District housing 1,775 people, two in Colombo with 61 people, seven in the Kegalle District with 417 people, and seven in Nuwara Eliya with 893 people. The DMC reports no active safety centres in any other District.

He further assured that all individuals in the camps are being provided with their essential needs while they await permanent resettlement. "Each and every one in the camps are being provided with their needs and till we are able to resettle them in permanent residences. It will take some time, and till then, they are taken care of and facilitated with their needs. We have not received any complaint so far from any of those in the relief camps about their needs having gone neglected," he added.

However, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (2), the Convenor of the Civil Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction organisation, Selvaraja Rajasegar contested the DMC's figures, asserting that camps are also operational in the Matale District.

The DMC's clarification comes after a recent report by the IOM and the IFRC, which revealed that 4,729 individuals from 1,332 families are still housed in 45 active safety centres across six Districts: Badulla, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Matale, and Kandy. The report also noted that some centres, particularly in Badulla and Kegalle, are expected to remain operational beyond three months, while others may close within one to three months as relocation plans are implemented and schools and religious institutions resume normal activities. However, the Government is yet to provide a time-bound assurance in this regard.