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Engineering Faculty Students’ Union
University of Sri Jayewardenepura

As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, UNP President Vajira Abeywardena has issued a public warning that the country’s economy could suffer one of its largest disaster-related losses in decades, urging the government to release transparent assessments and launch immediate relief interventions.

While official figures remain unavailable, informed sources within the Disaster Management, and provincial administrations estimate the economic cost to fall between LKR 120–300 billion, depending on the accuracy of district-level assessments now under way. These internal estimates, shared in confidence with UNP officials, were referred to indirectly by Abeywardena, who said the impact could “push the economy back by years if mishandled.”

Early briefings indicate severe damage to agriculture particularly vegetables, paddy, and smallholder cash crops with over 35,000 hectares affected across Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Southern provinces. This alone could translate to LKR 20-40 billion in direct output losses and higher food inflation in the coming months.

The fisheries sector has also been hit, with hundreds of boats damaged or lost, disrupted landing sites, and destroyed cold-chain facilities. Industry representatives estimate losses exceeding LKR 10-15 billion.

Tourism, already fragile, faces fresh setbacks as over 70 hotels, guesthouses and homestays across river valleys and hill regions report structural damage, cancellations and supply disruptions.

Housing, Infrastructure and the Wider Economic Bill

Rough field reports suggest 14,000-18,000 houses damaged or destroyed, in addition to thousands more requiring partial repair. Public infrastructure - especially rural bridges, culverts, feeder roads and irrigation canals - has sustained substantial damage, with internal engineering notes pointing to a LKR 40–60 billion reconstruction requirement.

The cumulative hit to livelihoods, reconstruction spending, supply chain disruptions and service-sector losses could push the total economic shock toward the upper range of LKR 300 billion, analysts say.

Abeywardena’s Critique of the Government Response

Abeywardena criticised what he described as the slow and opaque response of state institutions in releasing accurate loss assessments. He argued that without transparent figures, both Parliament and the public cannot evaluate the scale of required relief, nor how much financial support must be redirected from the Budget.

He also warned that delays in emergency relief will deepen rural vulnerability, especially in areas

The UNP has recommended:

• A rapid national damage audit, using satellite and district data.
• Immediate cash grants and housing repair assistance for affected families.
• A temporary debt moratorium for small farmers and micro-businesses.
• Fast-tracked restoration of feeder roads, bridges and irrigation networks.
• Publication of district-level damage estimates within days, not weeks.

Abeywardena cautioned that the disaster “demands urgency, transparency and accountability,” stressing that failure to act swiftly could turn a natural catastrophe into an economic crisis.

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:

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Japanese Yen (JPY)

Bank: MUFG Bank, Tokyo, Japan

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 653-0407895

SWIFT: BOTKJPJTXXX

6. Australian Dollar (AUD)

Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 81736-4 BSB: 092002

SWIFT: RSBKAU2SXXX

Cyclone Ditwah has rapidly transformed into the most severe political and administrative crisis facing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s JVP-led NPP Government, as public anger rises sharply over mounting deaths and what many describe as glaring failures in disaster preparedness.With 153 confirmed dead and 191 missing, the storm’s aftermath has touched almost every district, leaving the Government scrambling to defend itself against accusations of ignoring expert warnings and allowing systemic lapses that worsened the tragedy.

The most politically damaging revelation concerns early alerts. The Department of Meteorology had reportedly flagged Ditwah’s escalation as early as 12 November, urging immediate activation of a coordinated disaster-response mechanism.

 Instead of mobilising state machinery, authorities assumed the cyclone would follow the trajectory of previous storms an assumption now castigated as fatal. Critics have compared this lapse to the 2019 Easter Sunday intelligence failure, where warnings were available but insufficiently acted upon.

When rains intensified by 27 November, the situation further deteriorated. The Government’s sudden decision to declare a nationwide public-sector holiday on 28 November, without clearly defining essential services, created administrative paralysis at the worst possible moment.

Thousands of distressed residents rushed to divisional secretariats and grama niladhari offices seeking emergency assistance, only to discover shuttered offices or absent officials.

Some Divisional Secretaries even refused emergency procurements fearful of corruption allegations while being technically “on leave”resulting in delayed evacuations in several heavily affected localities.

Initial internal estimates compiled by the Treasury and provincial administrations suggest an economic blow in the range of LKR 120–300 billion, depending on the accuracy of district-level assessments now underway.

 These figures were alluded to indirectly by senior UNP figure Vajira Abeywardena, who warned that mismanaging the crisis could “set the economy back by years.”

The agricultural sector is among the hardest hit. More than 35,000 hectares of vegetables, paddy, and smallholder cash crops across Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Southern provinces have been severely damaged translating into LKR 20–40 billion in direct losses. Economists caution that this could trigger renewed pressure on food inflation in the coming months. The fisheries sector reports losses exceeding LKR 10–15 billion, with damaged boats, disrupted landing sites, and destroyed cold-chain infrastructure crippling coastal livelihoods.

Tourism already fragile is now absorbing further shocks, with over 70 hotels, guesthouses, and homestays in river-valley and hill-country corridors reporting structural damage, cancellations, and supply chain disruptions.

Housing and public infrastructure have sustained heavy destruction. Rough field assessments indicate 14,000-18,000 homes fully or partially damaged. Rural bridges, culverts, feeder roads, and irrigation canals have taken a severe hit, with engineering units estimating a LKR 40–60 billion reconstruction requirement.

Analysts project the cumulative economic toll-including agricultural losses, reconstruction costs, supply disruptions, and service-sector shocks-could reach LKR 300 billion at the upper range.

In the vacuum created by slow official action, ordinary citizens stepped up. Community kitchens emerged overnight, doctors provided free online consultations, and volunteers used private vehicles to rescue stranded families. Yet the conspicuous absence of the JVP’s traditionally active Red Star volunteer force drew public criticism and discomfort within the NPP leadership.

Communication missteps worsened tensions. Tamil-language disaster alerts were issued far too late, leaving affected communities feeling neglected by a government that had pledged equality and modernised state communication.

Only by midday on 29 November, under intense pressure, did the President declare a state of emergency and restore essential services via Gazette.

Beyond the politics, the material damage is staggering: devastated paddy fields, ruined agricultural land, damaged telecom towers, severed road networks, collapsed bridges, affected hotels, and even industrial losses including a major apparel facility in Thulhiriya.

With Sri Lanka already carrying Rs. 30.93 trillion in public debt, the reconstruction burden could force the Government to seek urgent external assistance.

Opposition parties have moved quickly. The UNP highlights its own past disaster-management record, while SJB leader Sajith Premadasa has appealed to the IMF to relax certain programme conditions in light of the “national calamity.”

As waters recede, the Government faces its most difficult task: rebuilding public trust. Cyclone Ditwah has exposed serious weaknesses in institutional coordination and crisis governance. To recover politically and economically the NPP Government will require transparency, rapid action, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes, qualities the public now demands more strongly than ever.

Gold prices in Sri Lanka recorded another sharp increase today (01), driven by a substantial rise in global gold prices. According to international market data, the price of gold has climbed by USD 4,238.

Local traders say gold prices in Sri Lanka have risen by Rs. 5,500 compared to rates recorded on November 25, with Rs. 2,000 of that increase occurring within the past 24 hours.

In the Colombo Pettah gold market, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign has now reached Rs. 314,700. Meanwhile, the 24-carat gold sovereign, which was priced at Rs. 336,000 on November 25, has increased to Rs. 342,000, according to market dealers.

The Nepali government on Sunday announced financial aid of 200,000 U.S. dollars for Sri Lanka to support relief and recovery efforts for people badly affected by recent floods.

Heavy rainfall and flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in the past few days have resulted in the deaths of at least 334 people, with 370 still missing, as the island nation grapples with one of its worst weather-related disasters in years, according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Sri Lanka.

While announcing the assistance package, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its “profound sorrow and deepest sympathies” to the government and people of Sri Lanka over the devastating floods that caused extensive loss of life and widespread damage across the South Asian island nation.

“In the spirit of close bilateral relations, Nepal stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this difficult time,” the statement reads. “The Government of Nepal offers its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for a swift and complete recovery of the injured.”

( Source: adaderana.lk)

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has issued a heartfelt statement recognising the bravery of the pilot who lost his life while conducting rescue and relief work for flood-affected communities near Lunuwila in Wennappuwa.

The tragedy occurred yesterday (30) when a Bell-212 helicopter engaged in distributing food and emergency items attempted to make an emergency landing close to the Lunuwila Bridge. According to the SLAF, the presence of people gathered on the bridge caused instability in the area, contributing to the mishap as the crew tried to land safely.

The co-pilot and three other SLAF personnel on board survived the crash and are being treated at the Marawila Hospital.

Despite intensive medical efforts, the pilot—Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya—succumbed to his injuries. The SLAF noted that he was a seasoned aviator with more than 3,000 flying hours and an exemplary record of service.

Following directives from Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, a board of inquiry has been appointed, and an official investigation into the incident is now underway.

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.

The Department of Meteorology reports that the Deep Depression positioned near latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.6°E—approximately 300 km north-northeast of Kankasanthurai—is gradually moving northward, away from Sri Lanka, and is expected to weaken over time.

As the system shifts, intermittent showers are forecast in the Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, as well as in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The Met Department further notes that isolated showers or thunderstorms could develop in parts of the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2 p.m.

Authorities urge the public to exercise caution, particularly regarding sudden strong winds and lightning associated with evening thundershowers.

The Commissioner-General of Essential Services, empowered under Gazette No. 2464/31 of 28 November 2025, has launched immediate actions to restore public utilities and support communities impacted by the recent disaster.

Provincial Chief Secretaries have been instructed to assess infrastructure damage urgently, address issues related to food and essential services, and take corrective measures. They have also been given authority to share equipment and staff between Local Government Institutions across provinces to speed up recovery efforts.

District Secretaries have been directed to prepare rapid-response plans to ensure the timely delivery of relief services. Approval was granted to unload a 3,955-metric-ton LP Gas vessel at the Port of Hambantota after delays in Colombo, helping stabilize gas supplies.

Additionally, the District Secretary of Puttalam has been authorized to open the Lanka Sathosa warehouse in Chilaw and distribute stored food items to affected residents.

The Commissioner-General noted that state officials are working tirelessly to provide food, water, and essential services to all affected communities. He expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation and understanding during this challenging time.

The death toll of Cyclone Ditwah is 193 and counting. Hundreds more have gone missing. Tens of thousands have been rendered homeless. People have lost their lives. Thousands mourn the loss of friends and families. And an entire population grieves and wonders when and how livelihoods will be restored, the displaced provided alternative housing. They wonder how long food, medical, power and communications infrastructure will remain disrupted. This is not the first tragedy that has struck Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has known floods, droughts, landslides although none of it in the scales unleashed by Cyclone Ditwah. Sri Lanka was hit hard by the tsunami of 2004. This time it is a freshwater tsunami engulfing the entire country. What is unique about this disaster is that not a single district has been spared. Sri Lanka has lived through a devastating war that lasted 30 years. Through it all, as a nation, Sri Lanka survived and this is mostly thanks to a remarkable determination to come together to help one another. Volunteerism is truly extraordinary. Generosity and solidarity have seen us through many terrible times.

Wijerama Community Kitchen

This is clearly evident even today. Ordinary citizens, as individuals or in groups, have stepped forward to do their utmost and ensure that no one goes hungry, no one suffers without water and indeed no one is left without shelter. They work together and in conjunction with relevant state institutions and officials. They are tireless. They epitomise the resilience of the island nation.

Nevertheless, the tragedy is of such monumental proportions that it is clear that their efforts alone will not bring back normalcy. We simply cannot do it alone. Sri Lanka is a small island nation and one that has been struggling to get its economy back on track after an unprecedented collapse a few years ago. However, despite Sri Lanka's own trials and tribulations, Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans have always done their best to help friendly nations whenever they were in distress. Today, we are in desperate need of empathy, kindness and support. The victims have suffered unimaginably. We cannot abandon them. We strongly believe that the international community will not forsake us in this, the hour of our greatest tragedy in recent times. There are, or will be shortages of food, medicine, shelter and essential supplies. Sanitation and fresh water supplies will need to be restored. Communication lines will need to be urgently repaired and upgraded.

Looking a little further into the future, it is inescapable that more permanent repairs related to this disaster including restoration of infrastructure, relocating people and rebuilding lives offers a challenge that is formidable and will obviously come at a high cost, one that Sri Lanka will struggle to bear as we are just climbing out of another economic crisis. I call upon our donors and international partners to extend their patience and compassion in the weeks and months to come. The government will need the support and fiscal headroom to look after its people and rebuild their infrastructure even as we continue to honor our obligations. You can help and we sincerely hope you will. As for my fellow Sri Lankans, especially elected representatives of all parties, past and present, be there with your people. We are blessed to have a president of impeccable integrity who is leading the recovery and has the humility to accept your help with gratitude. Do whatever you can for your friends near and far. Support the Divisional Secretaries and others are doing their utmost to provide relief. In short, do what you can to help galvanize and coordinate aid to those who need it the most. Sri Lanka has been through a lot, but we have always prevailed when history wrote us off. No war, no tsunami, no default, no flood or no terror attack or coup has ever or will ever change that.

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray