The national programme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, aimed at steering the country’s post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts, will be officially launched tomorrow (13) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The initiative has been introduced in response to the urgent need for a well-coordinated national mechanism to address recovery and rehabilitation following the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which affected all parts of the country, resulting in loss of life and extensive damage to both public and private property.
Funding for the programme will be implemented through three strategic approaches. These include re-purposing, where the objectives of selected ongoing development projects are revised; re-allocating, through additional funding provided in line with the Public Finance Management Act beyond existing budgetary allocations—under which a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be prepared for 2026; and mobilising domestic and foreign support, including public and private sector contributions, through the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
To provide overall leadership, coordination and oversight, President Dissanayake has established a Presidential Task Force comprising 25 members, including Cabinet Ministers and senior public officials. The Task Force is chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and is mandated to offer strategic direction, resolve inter-ministerial issues, and guide key decisions related to funding, recovery and reconstruction.
The Task Force will oversee the restoration of essential services such as sanitation and healthcare, the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, the revival of livelihoods and local economies, the establishment of digital data and decision-support systems, and the strengthening of communication and stakeholder engagement.
To ensure effective implementation and monitoring, several sub-committees will be formed under the leadership of relevant line Ministers:
- Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Committee – to collect, analyse and assess physical, economic and social impacts of the disaster.
- Public Infrastructure Restoration Committee – to coordinate rehabilitation and reconstruction of transport, electricity, water supply, irrigation, health, education and telecommunications infrastructure.
- Housing Restoration Committee for Affected Communities – to repair damaged homes and construct new houses in line with the recovery plan.
- Local Economy and Livelihood Revitalisation Committee – to stabilise livelihoods, restore businesses and supply chains, improve access to finance and promote economic opportunities.
- Social Infrastructure Restoration Committee – to coordinate the restoration of education, health, water, sanitation and welfare services.
- Finance and Funds Committee – to manage fundraising, budget planning, donor coordination and ensure transparent use of funds in line with public financial policy.
- Data and Information Systems Committee – to establish advanced data systems and analytical tools to guide recovery strategies and monitor implementation.
- Public Communication Committee – to oversee public communication, awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement related to the national rebuilding effort.
The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme is expected to serve as a comprehensive and transparent framework to guide the country’s recovery and long-term resilience in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
