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Cyclone Ditwah has left children across Sri Lanka facing an escalating humanitarian crisis. After making landfall on the East Coast early on 28 November, the storm caused widespread floods and devastating landslides. Initial estimates suggest that over 275,000 children are among the 1.4 million people affected, although disrupted communications and blocked access routes imply the actual number may be even higher.

“UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the destruction the cyclone has caused to children and the vital services they depend on for their safety and well-being. We stand in solidarity with families who have suffered losses and displacement and extend our deepest condolences to those mourning loved ones,” said Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka.

“Children urgently need help. It is a race against time to reach the most vulnerable families who direly require lifesaving services,” she added. “And while the cyclone may have passed, the consequences have not.”

 The severe damage to homes and vital infrastructure, along with the disruption of essential services, has caused widespread displacement and increases the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, and severe emotional distress among children.

The cyclone will only deepen the struggles of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable communities, who are still reeling from successive shocks, including the 2022 economic crisis. According to a World Bank 2025 report, poverty has more than doubled since 2019, rising from 11.3 per cent to 24.5 per cent. For millions of families, life remains unaffordable, with basic needs increasingly out of reach. 

UNICEF Sri Lanka is coordinating closely with the Government, national authorities, and partners to assess the situation and has initiated life-saving support. To respond to the urgent needs of children and families in the hardest-hit districts, UNICEF is further scaling up its efforts and appealing for additional funding to provide clean drinking water, essential nutrition supplies, psychosocial support, and emergency education kits to displaced children and mothers who need them most.

Security forces across Sri Lanka continue to carry out extensive search operations to locate individuals reported missing amid the ongoing disaster situation.

In Badulla, a team from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recovered the body of one missing person following a difficult rescue and retrieval mission. According to officials, the remains were found buried under more than five feet of debris, highlighting the severe impact of the recent landslides and flooding in the area.

Search and recovery efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to account for all those affected by the islandwide calamity.

The Department of Irrigation has reported that the Kelani River’s water level has now fallen to a minor flood stage. At the Nagalagam Street gauge, the river measured 6.9 feet at 2:00 p.m., dropping slightly to 6.75 feet by 3:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the Hanwella gauge recorded a decrease from 7.14 feet to 7.07 feet over the same period, although the river remains at a dangerous level.

The department also noted that water levels are gradually receding in other rivers, including the Kalu Ganga and Malwathu Oya. At the Thanthirimale gauge on the Malwathu Oya, the water level decreased from 8.24 feet at 2:00 p.m. to 8.19 feet by 3:00 p.m., yet major flooding persists in parts of the river basin.Authorities continue to monitor all affected waterways and advise residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of condolence to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Sri Lanka continues to confront the severe devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which triggered deadly floods and landslides across multiple districts.

In his statement, President Putin expressed profound sorrow over the high number of casualties and the extensive damage left in the cyclone’s wake.

“Your Excellency, please accept my sincere condolences over the numerous human casualties and the extensive destruction caused by the floods and landslides that have struck your country. I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of those who perished, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured,” the message read.

President Putin also assured that Russia stands ready to extend assistance as Sri Lanka continues its relief and recovery operations following one of the most destructive weather events in recent years.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwawa, confirmed that the remaining subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, postponed due to the country’s recent severe weather, will take place in early January 2026.

Regarding school reopenings, Kaluwawa stated that after assessing conditions at provincial and district levels, schools in regions unaffected by transport interruptions, power outages, or communication disruptions will reopen on December 16. Reopening plans for schools in more heavily impacted areas will be determined in coordination with provincial and district authorities.

He added that higher education institutions, including universities, National Colleges of Education, and vocational training centers that were not impacted by the disaster, are expected to resume operations on December 8. Heads of institutions facing operational difficulties will be granted the authority to decide on appropriate reopening dates for their campuses.

The Sri Lanka Army has launched an extensive search operation to find a family reported missing after a landslide hit the Chandirigama area in Kandapola. The incident, triggered by intense rainfall, has left a mother, her two children, and their grandmother unaccounted for, according to local reports.

Troops from the 3rd Battalion of the Sinha Regiment in Nuwara Eliya commenced the search yesterday (01). Authorities said the family's home collapsed during the heavy rains on November 27, and neighbours believe all four were inside at the time of the incident.

Police confirmed that search efforts remain ongoing as rescue teams continue to scour the area.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the Outpatient Department (OPD) at the Chilaw District General Hospital will resume services tomorrow (03), after being temporarily shut down due to the severe weather conditions that disrupted the facility.

According to the hospital’s Deputy Director, power was restored by yesterday (01), while the water supply became operational earlier today (02), enabling the hospital to restart essential functions.

The Ministry added that repairs to other flood-damaged areas of the hospital are being expedited. Officials say the goal is to restore full service delivery as quickly as possible so the public can once again access all healthcare facilities without interruption.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has announced that fatalities linked to the islandwide extreme weather conditions have increased to 410. The ongoing disaster, which has affected every district in Sri Lanka, continues to cause significant damage and displacement.

According to the DMC, continuous rainfall, flooding, and landslides have intensified the crisis, prompting widespread emergency response efforts. Authorities are working with rescue teams and regional administrations to support affected communities as the situation remains critical.

United States Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has spoken with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the ongoing rescue and relief measures following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.During the discussion, Gor reaffirmed that the United States is closely observing the evolving situation and extended heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the disaster.

President Dissanayake, in response, expressed his appreciation for the United States’ steady support during Sri Lanka’s time of crisis. Cyclone Ditwah has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands, creating one of the most severe humanitarian challenges in recent years.

The United States has already announced a contribution of US$ 2 million to bolster Sri Lanka’s immediate emergency response and relief efforts.

Sri Lanka’s import bill surged to US$ 2,156.8 million in October, with vehicles alone absorbing US$ 261 million, creating renewed concerns over the economy’s growing external vulnerabilities. The sharp spike comes just months after the Central Bank attempted to slow the foreign exchange drain by restricting bank and finance company lending for vehicle purchases—a move now proving insufficient against pent-up demand and looser post-restriction import conditions.

While the economy continues to expand mirroring 2024’s 5% GDP growth the revival in consumption has created an import-heavy recovery. Fuel imports rose to US$ 357.8 million in October, with refined petroleum accounting for the bulk of the expenditure. Over the first ten months of 2025, Sri Lanka spent US$ 3.3 billion on fuel and US$ 1.46 billion on vehicles, reflecting the scale of the country’s dependence on international markets.

With total merchandise imports reaching US$ 17.55 billion (a 13.8% rise), the country’s trade deficit widened sharply, hitting US$ 1,007.4 million in October alone—the highest monthly deficit recorded this year. Exports, meanwhile, stagnated at US$ 1.15 billion, failing to keep pace with the import surge. The ten-month trade deficit now stands at US$ 6.2 billion, up from US$ 4.7 billion last year, placing renewed pressure on the fragile recovery in external balances.

The impact is already visible in Sri Lanka’s current account, which slipped into a US$ 199.5 million deficit in October the second consecutive month in the red—raising red flags about sustainability. Although the current account still shows a US$ 1.65 billion surplus for the first ten months, the momentum is clearly weakening.

Beyond the headline numbers, the resurgence in vehicle imports is creating serious structural risks. According to the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), the post-February 2025 relaxation of restrictions has triggered a wave of indirect imports, many entering without proper safety inspections, verified histories, or manufacturer warranties. CMTA warns that these vehicles—often under-invoiced or routed through grey channels—pose long-term risks to both consumers and the economy.

Hidden defects, tampered odometers, and lack of after-sales support mean buyers may save at the point of purchase but face steep costs down the line. More critically, such imports undermine government revenue through loss of customs duties, distort market competition, and create recurring pressure on foreign exchange as spare parts must be sourced externally without manufacturer backing.

Authorized agents, CMTA stresses, offer vehicles built for Sri Lankan conditions, backed by warranties, proper recalls, trained technicians, and ethical foreign currency transactions. In contrast, grey imports bypass key regulatory checks, leaving buyers exposed and depriving the state of millions in revenue.

As vehicle imports accelerateand as consumers increasingly turn to unregulated channels—the economic consequences are mounting: widening deficits, rising FX pressure, reduced revenue collection, and heightened consumer risk. Without stronger regulatory enforcement and tighter oversight of import channels, Sri Lanka risks repeating past cycles of unsustainable import-led expansion, further weakening its fragile recovery.

The Sri Lanka Dawoodi Bohra community has extended significant financial support to national flood relief efforts by donating Rs. 10 million to aid those affected by the recent severe weather conditions.

The donation was formally handed over this morning (02) at the Presidential Secretariat, where the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Dawoodi Bohra Community, Ibrahim Jaffer Zaini, presented the cheque to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The contribution was made on behalf of the global Bohra spiritual leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.

Community representatives noted that they intend to continue assisting the government’s humanitarian operations, including rescue missions and relief distribution. They also expressed appreciation for the measures already taken by authorities to support families and regions impacted by the widespread flooding.