The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which brings together 37 participating States, all 27 EU member States, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine, is providing in-kind assistance to Sri Lanka, in response to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.

As a part of the UCPM in-kind assistance, Sri Lanka on Wednesday (17) received an aid shipment, with two air cargo flights arriving in Colombo from Germany, France and Luxembourg. 

This aid shipment included 83 tonnes of relief items such as family tents, mattresses, hygiene and kitchen kits, beds and water filters. The supplies are intended for distribution among communities most affected by the cyclone.

The arrival of the assistance was welcomed by the EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Carmen Moreno, the French Ambassador, Rémi Lambert, and the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Sarah Hasselbarth. 

On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the donations were received by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General/Europe & North America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism and Chathura Liyanarachchi, Director, Disaster Management Centre (DMC). 

According to the President’s Office, the donation comes as the European Union has allocated a total of Euro 2.35 million of financial assistance to Sri Lanka in response to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.

This includes Euro 500,000 through IFRC and Euro 1.85 million through DG-European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) partners, WFP and UNICEF as humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.

Italy has also provided a team of structural engineers to support Sri Lanka’s disaster assessment and recovery process. 

Furthermore, the EU has activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) in rapid mapping mode, with around 30 maps produced so far.

The European Union has committed to continued cooperation and support to Sri Lanka’s disaster recovery and rebuilding process, reaffirming the enduring friendship and strong partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union. (Newswire)

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A Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected due to the sudden disaster situation was presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka today. 

The Supplementary Estimate was presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya this morning. 

The Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion for the year 2026, aimed at restoring the livelihoods of those affected due to the sudden disaster situation, is to be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. 

The Supplementary Estimate will be debated and approved by Parliament tomorrow (19). (Newswire)

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A Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be presented to Parliament tomorrow (18 Dec) to restore the livelihoods of those affected due to the sudden disaster situation. 

The Parliament will convene on Thursday (18 Dec) and Friday (19 Dec) this week, at the request of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and in accordance with the provisions of Standing Orders 16 of Parliament.

According to a Parliament statement, this was decided at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today (17) under the chairmanship of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

On December 18th, Parliament will convene at 9.30 a.m., and a Supplementary Sum of Rs. 500 billion for the year 2026, aimed at restoring the livelihoods of those affected due to the sudden disaster situation, is scheduled to be presented to Parliament and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. 

Thereafter, the Adjournment Debate brought forward by the Government on the current situation of the country following the disaster caused by the inclement weather has been scheduled to be held until 5.30 p.m.

Parliament is also scheduled to convene on December 19th, from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., and the Supplementary Sum of Rs. 500 billion is scheduled to be debated and approved by Parliament on that day. (Newswire)

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A special cargo aircraft carrying 69,000 kilograms of disaster relief supplies worth 5 million euros from Germany and Luxembourg, both member states of the European Union, arrived at Katunayake International Airport early this morning (17).

It is reported that the consignment includes tents, kitchen equipment for cooking, mats, and water purification units as part of the large relief package.

The Boeing 747 cargo aircraft transporting the aid landed at Katunayake Airport at 4:30 a.m. today, having departed from Leipzig, Germany.

To receive the consignment, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Sarah Haselbarth, EU representative Pierre Tripon, and officials from Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre were present at Katunayake Airport. (Newswire)

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$3 million disaster relief grant to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The funding will support emergency and humanitarian operations across the island.

ADB President Masato Kanda announced the grant following official requests for assistance from the governments of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam — each of which experienced severe weather events. Thailand and Vietnam will also receive US$2 million each in disaster relief funding.

“I am deeply saddened by the suffering caused by these devastating floods,” Kanda said. “The governments and people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam can rest assured that ADB will provide assistance to help save lives and rebuild communities.”

The grant is issued through the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), which offers rapid financial support for life-saving relief in the immediate aftermath of major natural disasters.

Heavy flooding linked to Cyclone Ditwah has caused significant loss of life and widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and public services in Sri Lanka and other affected nations.

Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 69 members, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region. The bank supports sustainable and inclusive development across Asia through financial partnerships and infrastructure investment. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka continues to receive significant international support following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and left hundreds of thousands displaced across the country. 

According to the President’s Office, as recovery operations intensify, nations across the world have expressed solidarity, while several key allies have mobilised direct relief assistance on the ground.

India has taken a leading role in immediate emergency response efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and reaffirmed that India “stands firmly beside Sri Lanka and its people in this difficult hour,” pledging continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu for relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He further assured that India will extend “all necessary support” as Sri Lanka moves into recovery. Earlier, India dispatched humanitarian assistance through INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, which delivered relief materials in Colombo, with further deployment underway. 

Pakistan has also delivered substantial emergency supplies, with the Pakistan Navy Ship PNS SAIF handing over relief items through the Sri Lankan Navy to support families affected by flooding. 

The United States strengthened its humanitarian contribution with the delivery of 20,000 polysacks to reinforce embankments and mitigate rising water levels, while additional supplies, including generators, cooking stoves, water bins and tents, will be provided through the World Food Programme (WFP). 

Further deepening engagement, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor spoke with President Dissanayake on Thursday, during which the President conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for continued U.S. support. The United States reiterated its commitment to stand by Sri Lanka, noting that it is closely monitoring the evolving situation and extended deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. The call highlighted ongoing cooperation as Sri Lanka faces one of its worst natural disasters in recent years.

Australia has pledged AUD 1 million for immediate response and early recovery assistance, while Nepal announced a contribution of USD 200,000 to support relief efforts. 

The Maldives confirmed the donation of USD 50,000 along with 25,000 cases of tuna cans, expressing solidarity with Sri Lankan communities affected by the disaster. Additionally, the Sri Lankan expatriate business community in the Maldives contributed USD 33,000 to ongoing operations. 

The United Nations in Sri Lanka is also coordinating efforts with national authorities to support rescue, emergency relief and early recovery initiatives. 

Meanwhile, several other nations and international partners,  including China, Türkiye, Cuba, Bangladesh, the European Union, the State of Palestine and Nicaragua, have extended condolences and messages of solidarity, pledging to stand by Sri Lanka during this period of national mourning and rebuilding. 

As relief continues to arrive by sea and air, Sri Lanka’s recovery effort is being strengthened by a unified global response, reflecting deep diplomatic partnerships and regional cooperation in disaster management. 

The government has stated that international coordination remains critical as communities begin the long process of rebuilding homes, livelihoods and essential infrastructure. (Newswire)

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Police state that the arrival of large numbers of relief teams has obstructed road‑clearing operations in disaster‑affected areas.

Expressing gratitude for the relief teams’ efforts, Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler noted that in some districts, the influx of heavy vehicles into areas where road repairs are underway has disrupted the work. 

He further said that certain motorcyclists visiting affected sites to observe and record videos have also hindered officials engaged in duties.

The Police Media Spokesperson emphasized that such situations pose risks to those arriving and requested relief teams to coordinate with the respective Divisional Secretaries to deliver assistance to the public.

He also urged the public to contact the Disaster Operations Centre to provide relief.

Police Special Operations Centre contact numbers: 

• 071‑8595884 
• 071‑8595883 
• 071‑8595882 
• 071‑8595881 
• 071‑8595880 (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has requested the cooperation of the public when operating drones in areas affected by the ongoing disaster situation, warning that unregulated drone operations during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions pose a significant risk to air operations conducted by the SLAF and other response agencies.

Issuing a statement, the SLAF said that the presence of drones, whether authorized or unauthorized, in active airspace can interfere with flight paths, disrupt critical rescue and relief missions and may lead to tragic aircraft accidents. 

Such incidents endanger the lives of aircrew members, jeopardize valuable air assets and place people on the ground at serious risk, it said. 

To ensure the safety and efficiency of all ongoing HADR air operations, the SLAF has appealed to the public to adhere to the following requests;

. Refrain from operating drones in areas where SLAF aircraft or other response aircraft are engaged in relief missions.

. Inform the SLAF of all drone take-off and landing times, whether authorized or unauthorized, before conducting any drone operations by contacting:

• General Lines: 0112343970 / 0112343971
• Hotline: 115

The SLAF added that the public’s cooperation is essential to safeguard lives and ensure uninterrupted air operations during this critical period. (Newswire)

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The Government has informed the public and the international donor community that certain contributors have experienced difficulties when transferring funds to the designated Central Bank accounts during the ongoing national relief efforts due to adverse weather.

The President’s Office said that to ensure smooth and uninterrupted receipt of donations, donors facing such issues are advised to direct their contributions in LKR 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 contributions directly to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s foreign currency accounts may use the details listed below:

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

For further assistance, donors are encouraged to contact the relevant authorities via the established communication channels.

The Government further expressed its sincere appreciation to all individuals, organisations and international partners for their continued generosity and support during this critical period. (Newswire)

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