Rebuilding Sri Lanka will be formally launched on January 13 as a national programme designed to guide the country’s post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation. The initiative responds to widespread damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and aims to deliver a structured, accountable rebuilding process.
Rebuilding Sri Lanka sets a coordinated framework for post-disaster recovery
The Government is set to launch the national programme titled Rebuilding Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 13, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to recover from the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The inaugural ceremony will be held at the Lotus Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The programme has been introduced against the backdrop of an urgent need for a coordinated national recovery mechanism. Cyclone Ditwah affected all parts of Sri Lanka, resulting in loss of life and widespread damage to homes, public facilities, and critical infrastructure. Authorities have acknowledged that fragmented recovery efforts would be insufficient to address the scale of destruction, prompting the establishment of a unified framework to steer rehabilitation and reconstruction activities.
Officials state that Rebuilding Sri Lanka is designed to bring clarity, discipline, and strategic direction to post-disaster interventions. By aligning ministries, public agencies, and development partners under a single national programme, the Government aims to ensure that recovery initiatives are prioritised, adequately funded, and implemented without duplication or delay.
Financing for the rebuilding effort is being structured around three main strategic approaches. The first involves re-purposing selected ongoing development projects by revising their objectives to better support recovery needs. This approach allows existing projects to be redirected toward urgent reconstruction priorities without initiating entirely new programmes.
The second approach focuses on re-allocating funds in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act. Under this mechanism, additional funding will be provided beyond original budgetary allocations. As part of this process, a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion is scheduled to be prepared for 2026, reflecting the scale of resources required to address post-disaster needs across the country.
The third financing pillar centres on mobilising support from domestic and foreign sources, including public and private donors, through the dedicated Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund. This fund is intended to serve as a transparent vehicle for channelling financial assistance, ensuring that contributions are aligned with national priorities and subject to proper oversight.
To provide strategic leadership and ensure effective coordination, the President has established a 25-member Presidential Task Force to oversee the programme. The Task Force includes Cabinet Ministers and senior public officials and is chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Its mandate is to guide overall policy direction, resolve inter-ministerial challenges, and make key decisions related to funding, recovery sequencing, and reconstruction priorities.
According to officials, the Task Force will play a central role in restoring essential services and rebuilding livelihoods. Its scope includes the restoration of basic needs, sanitation, and health services, alongside the reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as transport networks, utilities, and public buildings. The programme also places emphasis on reviving local economies, safeguarding livelihoods, and supporting communities whose assets and income sources were disrupted by the disaster.
In order to translate policy direction into action, a series of specialised sub-committees will be established under the leadership of relevant line ministers. These bodies are tasked with implementing decisions of the main committee, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability at each stage of the recovery process.
One such body, the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Committee, will focus on collecting and analysing data on the physical, economic, and social impacts of Cyclone Ditwah. Accurate assessments are expected to inform evidence-based decisions and help prioritise interventions where they are most urgently required.
Other committees will concentrate on restoring public infrastructure, housing for affected communities, and essential social services such as education, health, water, and sanitation. Separate attention will be given to revitalising local economies and livelihoods, with measures aimed at stabilising businesses, restoring supply chains, and improving access to financial services.
The programme also recognises the importance of sound financial management, data-driven decision-making, and clear communication. Dedicated committees will oversee fundraising and budget planning, develop digital information systems to support monitoring and forecasting, and coordinate public communication and stakeholder engagement throughout the recovery phase.
Government representatives stress that Rebuilding Sri Lanka is not intended as a short-term intervention but as a structured national response that balances immediate rehabilitation with longer-term resilience. By embedding coordination, transparency, and accountability into the recovery framework, authorities aim to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage future shocks while addressing the urgent needs arising from Cyclone Ditwah.