The inaugural ceremony of the national programme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, which has been introduced to effectively steer the country’s rebuilding process, will be held tomorrow (13 Jan), under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
According to the President’s Office, the event will be held at the Lotus Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
The programme is being implemented in response to the urgent need for a highly coordinated national recovery mechanism to address post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation activities arising from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which affected all parts of Sri Lanka, resulting in loss of life as well as damage to private and public property.
At present, the financing of the rebuilding programme is being carried out under three strategic approaches. These include: re-purposing, whereby the objectives of selected ongoing development projects are being revised; re-allocating, whereby additional funds are allocated in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act over and above the budgetary allocations. Accordingly, a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be prepared for 2026, and mobilising domestic, foreign, public and private donor support through the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
In order to provide strategic leadership, coordination, a coherent approach and oversight for the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme, the President has recently established a Presidential Task Force comprising 25 members, including Ministers and senior public officials, chaired by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
The Task Force will provide overall guidance, take strategic decisions, resolve inter-ministerial issues and guide key funding, recovery and reconstruction decisions in relation to the rebuilding activities, including the restoration of basic needs, sanitation and health services; reconstruction of critical infrastructure; enhancement of livelihoods and assets; revitalisation of the local economy; establishment of digital data systems and decision-support mechanisms; and improvement of communication and stakeholder engagement.
Furthermore, to implement the decisions of the main committee, monitor progress and ensure effective supervision, the following sub-committees are to be established under the chairmanship of the relevant line Ministers:
- Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Committee – to collect, analyse and assess data on the physical, economic and social impacts of the natural disaster.
- Public Infrastructure Restoration Committee – to coordinate resources, ensure standards and oversee the rehabilitation and reconstruction of affected infrastructure, including transport, electricity, water supply, irrigation, health, education and telecommunications.
- Housing Restoration Committee for Affected Communities – to repair damaged houses or construct new houses for affected communities in accordance with the recovery plan.
- Local Economy and Livelihood Revitalisation Committee – to support the rapid stabilisation of livelihoods and businesses, restore key supply chains, improve access to financial services and develop economic opportunities.
- Social Infrastructure Restoration Committee – to coordinate the restoration of essential social services, including education, health, water, sanitation and welfare assistance.
- Finance and Funds Committee – to oversee fundraising, budget planning, donor coordination and the transparent utilisation of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund within the framework of public financial policy.
- Data and Information Systems Committee – to prioritise post-disaster recovery needs, guide recovery strategies, and establish information systems incorporating advanced analytical tools, forecasting models and innovative technologies for implementation and monitoring.
- Public Communication Committee – to coordinate public communication, awareness-raising and stakeholder engagement in relation to recovery and reconstruction programmes. (Newswire)