Cyclonic storm Ditwah, one of the most devastating weather events to hit Sri Lanka in recent years, has already taken more than 400 lives. Hundreds more remain missing or injured. While the death toll can be certified with relative accuracy, the true number of missing persons remains uncertain and the lack of clarity around this issue shows one of the most serious challenges that the country must confront in the aftermath of the disaster.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the unresolved status of the missing creates complications for long-term restoration efforts. When the authorities do not know whether a person is deceased or stranded, it becomes difficult to decide on appropriate responses. Missing person’s data is essential not only for families seeking closure but also for policymakers trying to coordinate and improve recovery programmes.
As Sri Lanka intensifies its search and identification efforts, much more remains to be done. The missing must be accounted for accurately, transparently and urgently. If any person among those listed as missing are alive, they must be traced and referred to the relevant support services without delay. These processes depend greatly on the cooperation of communities and the relatives of the missing who often hold crucial information that can support verification and tracing processes. Public participation, therefore, is central to rebuilding an accurate national picture in the wake of the disaster. However, amid the tragedy, the cyclone also presents Sri Lanka with an opportunity to modernise and digitise how the country manages information during emergencies. The Government has already announced plans to introduce a new digital identity card system linked to biometric and dental data. If properly developed and transparently governed, these systems could dramatically improve victim identification during crises both now and in the future.
The digital capacity is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity for a country repeatedly experiencing climate-driven disasters. A well-designed digital identity framework could allow the authorities to match unidentified remains with national records quickly, even in cases where traditional documentation has been lost. It could also help locate displaced people more efficiently and reunite them with their families. During chaotic emergencies, digitised systems can reduce errors, speed up reporting times and strengthen accountability.
Sri Lanka’s painful history underscores why this is so important. The aftermath of the 2004 tsunami remains a haunting example of the consequences of inadequate identification systems. Thousands died that day, and many were never identified. Some estimates suggest that more than 4,000 people were classified as missing or unidentified for years. Families lived in prolonged uncertainty. Some cases were resolved only decades later, while others remain unresolved even today. Sri Lanka cannot afford to repeat that tragedy.
To prevent history from repeating itself, the country must consider establishing a national registry of personal details that includes key biometric information. Fingerprints, dental records and other scientifically verifiable identifiers could be securely stored and accessed only in emergencies and through transparent procedures. Such a registry would not replace traditional identification but complement it, especially in situations where bodies are damaged, documentation is destroyed or people become separated from their families in the chaos of evacuation. In cases where remains are unrecognisable or severely affected by environmental conditions, biometric systems could provide answers that families have been denied in the past. These technologies, already used in many countries, can bring certainty, dignity and closure. They also help ensure that the deceased are treated respectfully and that survivors are not subjected to prolonged emotional trauma.
This is not merely a response to one storm; it is a future-focused measure. Sri Lanka is already experiencing increased climate volatility, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense. A modern, digitised disaster-response framework will determine how well the country can protect its citizens as well as rebuild quickly and responsibly. As the country mourns the lives lost and supports those still waiting for answers, it must also take bold steps to fix the longstanding gaps in its emergency management systems. Investing in digital identification, strengthening national registries and building a culture of accurate reporting are not just technological upgrades, they are commitments to humanity and accountability.