News
SLAF Urges Public to Avoid Unregulated Drone Use During Disaster Relief Operations
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has called on the public to cooperate when operating drones in areas affected by the ongoing disaster response.Authorities warned that unregulated drone flights can interfere with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, posing serious risks to air operations conducted by the SLAF and other emergency response agencies.
The SLAF emphasized that such incidents could endanger the lives of aircrew, jeopardize critical air assets, and put people on the ground at significant risk, urging the public to follow guidelines and avoid flying drones near relief operations.
Urgent Warning as Kelani River Reaches Maximum Water Level
The southern embankment of the Kelani River has reached its maximum water level, prompting authorities to issue an immediate alert for residents living in nearby low-lying and flood-prone areas.
L.S. Suriya Bandara, Director of the Hydrology Unit of the Irrigation Department, urged residents in vulnerable zones to move to safer locations without delay. He stressed that anyone remaining in risk areas should act promptly to avoid danger.
Bandara also cautioned the public against visiting the flood protection bund for sightseeing, warning that such actions could put lives at serious risk given the unstable conditions.
Officials stated that the situation is under continuous observation and that all necessary precautionary measures have been implemented to ensure public safety.
Sri Lankan Government Launches GovPay Platform for Disaster Relief Donations
The Sri Lankan government has introduced a new mechanism allowing citizens and organisations to contribute donations through the ‘GovPay’ digital payment platform.
This initiative aims to streamline the collection of funds to provide relief and support for communities affected by the recent adverse weather conditions across the country. Authorities encourage the public to use the platform to assist in ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts.
Security Forces Aid Airline Crew Stranded by Flooding
Security forces have extended logistical support to airline staff who were stranded in areas hit by recent floods. Officers were deployed to transport the affected crew members out of flooded zones, ensuring their safety.
Authorities confirm that all personnel have now been moved to secure locations and have resumed their duties at their respective workstations.
Over 15,000 Homes Destroyed, Major Infrastructure Damaged in Cyclone Ditwah – OCHA
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 15,000 houses have been destroyed and significant infrastructure has been severely impacted following Cyclone Ditwah, which brought some of Sri Lanka’s worst flooding since the early 2000s.
According to initial assessments, over 200 roads are still inaccessible, at least 10 bridges have been damaged, and parts of the railway network and national power grid have been affected. OCHA notes that detailed evaluations are ongoing as authorities work to restore essential services and reach affected communities.
USJ Engineering Students Launch Website to Help Locate Missing Persons
As a voluntary project of the Faculty of Engineering Students’ Union of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a website has been created to help “locate” your loved ones who are missing due to the prevailing tragic situation, and to “assist in finding” the loved ones of other Sri Lankans.
We kindly request everyone to use this platform responsibly and with good intentions. Please also note that the responsibility for any information posted on the website lies solely with the individual who publishes it.
Engineering Faculty Students’ Union
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
All-Party Meeting Called by Ranil Wickremesinghe to Discuss Disaster Management Steps
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken steps to convene all party leaders to discuss the steps to be taken in the face of the adverse situation that faces Sri Lanka following Cyclone "Ditwa".
All party leaders are scheduled to meet at the former President's Political Office on Flower Road on Wednesday (3). United National Party Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that the steps to be taken in the future will be decided at the party leaders' meeting, following discussions based on the experience gained in successfully facing previous natural disasters under Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership.
Vajira Abeywardena said that Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to brief party leaders at this meeting on the steps taken during the floods of 2003 and 2016 and the post-flood period. Vajira Abeywardena said that this is the first time that all political party leaders in and outside Parliament are being convened in one place after this natural disaster.
Bank Account Numbers Issued by Government to Support Disaster Victims
Here are the bank account numbers issued by the Government to assist people affected by the disaster
The Presidential Media Division states that, based on numerous public requests, the bank account numbers issued to provide assistance to the disaster-affected have been updated as shown below.
Accordingly, donors are advised to deposit their financial contributions (in Sri Lankan Rupees) to the following Bank of Ceylon account:
Account Name: Deputy Secretary to the Treasury
Account Number: 2026450
Bank: Bank of Ceylon
In addition, donors who wish to make direct deposits into the foreign currency accounts of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka may do so using the following account details:
Foreign Currency Account Details:
- US Dollar (USD)
Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, USA
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 04015541
Routing Number: 021001033
SWIFT: BKTRUS33XXX
- Euro (EUR)
Bank: ODDO BHF Bank, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 0000739854
IBAN: DE39500202000000739854
SWIFT: BHFBDEFF500
- Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 1
Bank: HSBC Bank Plc, London, UK
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 39600144
Sort Code: 40-05-15
IBAN: GB48MIDL40051539600144
SWIFT: MIDLGB22XXX
- Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 2
Bank: Bank of Ceylon (UK) Ltd, London, UK
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 88001249
Sort Code: 40-50-56
IBAN: GB89BCEY40505688001249
SWIFT: BCEYGB2LXXX
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
Bank: MUFG Bank, Tokyo, Japan
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 653-0407895
SWIFT: BOTKJPJTXXX
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia
Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account Number: 81736-4 BSB: 092002
SWIFT: RSBKAU2SXXX
New Zealand Extends Support to Sri Lanka with NZ$1 Million for Disaster Relief
New Zealand has pledged NZ$1 million to support emergency humanitarian relief efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused widespread devastation across the island.
Announcing the contribution, the New Zealand government extended its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the disaster. Officials stated that New Zealand’s thoughts are with the people of Sri Lanka during this challenging and emotional period.
The funding will be directed toward immediate humanitarian needs, including emergency supplies, relief coordination, and support for affected communities as recovery operations continue.
Sri Lanka has welcomed the assistance as the country works to restore essential services and provide urgent aid to thousands impacted by the cyclone.
Govt Moves to Major Housing Finance Overhaul amid HDFC/ SMIB Crisis
Sri Lanka is set to carry out its most significant restructuring of the state housing finance sector in decades, following the government’s decision to merge the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank (SMIB) with two major state-owned commercial banks.
The Cabinet approved the plan on November 11, 2025, responding to urgent warnings from the Central Bank about the long-term viability of both specialised lenders. Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe described HDFC and SMIB as “burdened with unsustainable business models, poor profitability and an inability to meet minimum capital requirements,” underscoring the urgency of the move.
Under the restructuring, HDFC’s entire government shareholding will be transferred to Bank of Ceylon (BOC), which will manage it as a subsidiary. Similarly, SMIB will become a subsidiary of People’s Bank (PB) through a transfer of state shares. Both banks have traditionally relied heavily on Employees’ Provident Fund-backed loans, giving them low risk-weighted assets but also reflecting a narrow loan portfolio.
Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings supports the mergers, noting that HDFC and SMIB each represent only 1–1.5 percent of the acquiring banks’ assets. Fitch expects government capital injections to ensure that the consolidation does not weaken BOC or PB’s capital buffers. However, the agency warned of potential pressure, as both banks already face capital constraints due to high exposure to government securities.
Analysts note that the consolidation aims to protect depositors and maintain housing finance continuity. Yet, critics caution that absorbing HDFC and SMIB into larger banks may dilute their focus on low-income housing borrowers, who risk being sidelined in favour of more commercially profitable segments.
Fitch has placed both HDFC and SMIB on Rating Watch Positive, reflecting anticipated stronger state backing. Dr. Weerasinghe emphasized the stakes: “Strengthening financial sustainability is essentialnot optional.”
For thousands of households reliant on state housing credit, the government’s move could determine whether the sector is revitalised or merely postpones deeper, structural reforms. The coming months will reveal whether this bold consolidation secures stability and broad access to affordable housing financeor leaves traditional borrowers behind in the push for financial efficiency.
China Extends Support to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah Devastation
China has expressed its solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the destructive floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, pledging assistance to help the country rebuild.
The Red Cross Society of China has provided emergency financial aid amounting to USD 100,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, while additional assistance from the Chinese government is expected to follow.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka together with the Overseas Chinese Association has also contributed to relief efforts. The two organisations have pledged Rs. 10 million to support communities severely affected by the disaster.
Oil-Palm Ban Drains Sri Lanka’s Economy Amid Rising Losses
Sri Lanka’s continued ban on new oil-palm cultivation and the import of crude palm oil (CPO) has escalated into a significant economic setback, straining foreign exchange reserves, undermining export sectors, and jeopardising thousands of livelihoods, industry stakeholders warn.
Initially introduced on environmental grounds, the policy has now created far-reaching economic distortions. Since the CPO import ban took effect in April 2021, Sri Lanka has spent more than US$175 million on imported edible oils to meet domestic demandan unsustainable burden for an economy still grappling with balance-of-payments pressures.
Despite once having a productive oil-palm sector that supplied part of the annual requirement of nearly 264,000 metric tonnes, the country now relies almost entirely on imports.
The fallout has been particularly damaging for Board of Investment (BOI) export manufacturers. Companies that previously produced hydrogenated palm-oil products such as vanaspathi ghee, shortening, CBS fats and chocolate fats have incurred losses exceeding US$40 million after losing access to their primary raw material in 2022.
Their export operations collapsed even though they enjoy preferential access to Indian markets under the Indo–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA).
Adding to the irony, India-Sri Lanka’s biggest trading partner has recently reopened the very HS codes that Sri Lanka closed, allowing imports of palm-oil-based products while simultaneously raising tariffs on edible oils.
This shift has created fresh demand in India for Sri Lankan processed exports, but domestic manufacturers remain unable to capitalise due to the rigid CPO import ban.
In a detailed appeal to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, industry leaders have urged the government to rethink its position and introduce a controlled licensing mechanism allowing BOI-registered firms to import CPO (HS Code 1511.10).
They argue that restoring access to raw materials would revive export production, stabilise domestic edible-oil supply chains, and bring in an estimated US$75 million annually in export earnings.
Their concerns extend beyond immediate manufacturing losses. Plantation companies are pressing for the removal of the nationwide ban on new oil-palm cultivation, imposed in 2022, which abruptly halted a long-term industry intended to reduce dependence on imported oils.
They propose an annual replanting programme covering 10,000 acres, predicting that Sri Lanka could achieve self-sufficiency and potentially produce a surplus for export within six years.
Industry arguments mirror regional trends. India, which imports nearly eight million tonnes of palm oil each year, has launched a major plan to cultivate oil palm over five million hectares, signalling the strategic value of the crop for food security when properly regulated.
As Sri Lanka prepares to transition from the Special Commodity Levy to a more transparent ad valorem tax on imported oils in 2026, the pressing question remains: will policy change arrive in time?
For manufacturers, plantation workers, and rural communities dependent on the sector, the answer could determine whether the industry survives or collapses entirely.
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