A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on 8 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussion was held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.

The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.

The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.

The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.

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The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.

Accordingly, Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government stands ready to support the University of Peradeniya in rebuilding stronger, safer, and more resilient than before. She made these remarks while visiting the University of Peradeniya today (07), where she met with student representatives and Heads of Departments affected by the sudden floods that swept through the campus on 27 November.

The visit aimed to personally inspect the damage, which caused extensive harm to academic buildings, student facilities, and key infrastructure. University officials briefed the Prime Minister on the severity of the impact, highlighting significant losses to the Faculties of Management, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine, as well as the IT Centre, CDCE, gymnasium, swimming pool, and playgrounds.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on how the disaster disrupted both academic activities and the wellbeing of students and staff, including the loss of more than 110 computers, vital laboratory equipment, examination documents, and four central IT servers, with preliminary damage estimates exceeding Rs. 6 billion. She commended the swift evacuation of nearly 750 students from hostels located along the Mahaweli River and acknowledged the resilience shown by nearly 11,000 students who remained on campus during the crisis.

She expressed her appreciation to the Sri Lanka Army, the Disaster Management Centre, and local donors for providing food, water, and essential supplies at a time when access and communication were severely disrupted.

A joint engineering team has confirmed that university buildings remain structurally stable, although several require urgent repairs. With academic activities suspended until 15 December.

The Prime Minister discussed with the Vice Chancellor and emergency response teams the immediate steps required to restore normalcy and provide necessary support to students whose studies and daily routines have been significantly affected.

During these discussions, the Prime Minister issued a series of directives focusing on both immediate relief and long-term safety. These include restoring essential services such as water, electricity, and safe access pathways for students; accelerating the rehabilitation of heavily damaged faculties and laboratories; strengthening early warning systems for flood-prone areas; and implementing long-term mitigation measures such as riverbank protection, improved drainage, and the relocation of vulnerable facilities. She also directed the relevant agencies to fast-track government assistance, assuring the university community that the Government stands ready to help Peradeniya rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient than before.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; Kandy District Parliamentarian Thanura Dissanayake, Professor Terrence Madhujith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya; and Professor R. W. Pallegama, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, along with Heads of Departments, officials, and student representatives of the University of Peradeniya.

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Attention must be shifted to the mental health of children living in safety camps.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to restore people’s lives back to normalcy, the government will provide the relief and assistance, and that the effective cooperation of officials at the divisional level is important to ensure that essential relief reaches the public promptly.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during the Disaster Management Committee meeting held on 07 th of December at the Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat Office in Kandy, after inspecting the relief distribution and the efforts to restore the lives of the people, who affected by the damage caused in the Kandy District due to the recent disaster situation, back to normalcy.

The Prime Minister also inspected the damages caused by the disaster and the relief operations in the areas of Geli Oya, Udapalatha, and Doluwa.

Officials stated that power outages affecting the Udapalatha and Doluwa areas have been restored, major roads are now open, and cleaning of rural roads is currently under way. They further noted that drinking water supply is being provided to the affected areas, and banking services will be started once the communication disruptions are fully restored.

Addressing further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

It is only through our collective efforts and dedication that we can restore both the lives of people and the economy following this after effects of the disaster. We must pay special attention to the mental health of the children staying in safety camps.

We were able to save lives during this devastating situation because of your commitment, regardless of whether you had prior experience in managing such disasters or not.

I extend my gratitude to every one of you for your dedication, even going beyond your official duties, during this extremely challenging period.

The occasion was attended by Members of Parliament for Kandy District Pashmin Shariff and Tanuja Dissanayake; Additional District Secretary Lalith Etampawala; Udapalatha Divisional Secretary Atma Jayaratne; Doluwa Divisional Secretary Yamuna Dayarathna; and officials representing institutions including the Ceylon Electricity Board, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Road Development Authority, Police, and Disaster Management Centre.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A special briefing for the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka was held on 4 December at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath. Senior government officials, including representatives of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), also participated.

Opening the session, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her deep appreciation to the diplomatic community for their immediate support and solidarity following the recent floods and landslides. She noted that Sri Lanka had endured one of the most severe disasters in recent years, but the resilience of the people and the coordinated efforts of government agencies had enabled a rapid response and significant progress in relief operations. She confirmed that not a single tourist has been reported harmed during the disaster and noted that the previously inaccessible areas are now reachable. Massive cleanup and decontamination operations are underway to ensure that lands and public spaces are safe for return, and communications have been restored in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister emphasized that relief, evacuation, and emergency assistance were carried out with the collective effort of the tri-forces, police, public officers, health workers, volunteers, and local authorities. She acknowledged the continuing challenges, including the restoration of infrastructure, resettlement needs, and long-term disaster-mitigation work, and welcomed the technical, humanitarian, and financial support offered by partner countries.

Maj. Gen. Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd), Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, delivered a detailed presentation on the current status of the disaster, including the number of affected families, evacuation centres, damage assessments, and the ongoing coordination with international agencies for recovery planning. The cyclone affected almost the entire country, with 22 districts severely impacted. Some locations recorded up to 540 mm of rainfall and winds of up to 70 km/h, causing widespread infrastructure damage. Early assessments indicate that 2.3 million people were exposed to flooding, with 1.8 million people directly affected on the ground and 1.1 million hectares of land impacted. The assessment also identified 40,152 pregnant women among those affected, who have been prioritized for support. He also highlighted areas where further technical cooperation, such as early-warning systems, mapping capabilities, and climate-response technologies would be valuable.

Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, briefed the diplomatic community on the impact of the disaster on the tourism sector. He reassured attendees that major tourism zones remain operational, safety assessments are underway, and contingency measures have been activated to support visitors and protect the industry during the upcoming peak season. The Chairman of the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka Ashoka Hettigoda confirmed that the Coastal and resort hotels from Maravila to Passikudah are operating, with many reporting 60–65 percent occupancy; the hotels in Nuwara Eliya are partially operational. He made an appeal that the best assistance that the international community can give to Sri Lanka is the continued support provided through tourism.

Several diplomats conveyed their condolences to affected communities and reaffirmed their governments’ readiness to assist Sri Lanka in both immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding. They expressed appreciation for the government’s transparent engagement and the coordinated approach to managing the crisis.

Prime Minister thanked the diplomats for their continued cooperation and underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring an effective and inclusive recovery. She stressed that strengthening disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and institutional capacity will be central to Sri Lanka’s national development agenda moving forward. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Arun Hemachandra, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, and Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, also attended the meeting.

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Addressing Parliament today (05), the Prime Minister stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision, the recommendations issued by the Public Service Commission, and the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, all parties have agreed to recruit teachers through a competitive examination. The Prime Minister further noted that during the second phase of the recruitment process, the Development Officers currently serving in schools will be granted a special advantage during the interviews.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated,

In compliance with the final order of the Supreme Court and the provisions of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, the Development Officers will be given the opportunity to join the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service.

It has been decided to revise the maximum age limit of 40 years, as specified in the examination notification for applicants, to 45 years for this instance only.

The Prime Minister further stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision, arrangements have been taken to revise the age limits for graduates employed in the public service and graduates not employed in the public service, and to conduct separate examinations accordingly, in order to recruit teachers to Grade 3. i (a) of the Teachers’ Service to fill the available vacancies.

Prime Minister’s Media Division