The “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Presidential Task Force convened yesterday (13) at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, focusing on delays in contracted infrastructure projects following the Ditwah disaster, obstacles to achieving 2026 project targets, and the overall progress of the programme.

During the meeting, it was revealed that Rs. 13,505 million has already been allocated for 50,554 partially damaged houses, while Rs. 11,510 million has been provided for 4,918 fully damaged houses.

Extensive discussions were held on the restoration of highways, railways, bridges, and other damaged infrastructure, as well as measures required to accelerate housing construction, resettlement, and support for families still residing in relief camps.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya instructed officials to visit affected areas to assess current conditions, stressing the importance of restoring daily life for communities swiftly. She emphasized the need for close coordination with line ministry officials to ensure effective implementation.

The Prime Minister also directed Task Force members to hold urgent discussions with Governors, District Coordinating Chairmen, District Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and line institution officials to expedite ongoing rebuilding projects. (Newswire)

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The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) was informed that the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme currently operates through an account maintained under the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury.

Auditor General Samudika Jayaratne told the COPF that no statutory fund exists under the name “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” and confirmed that no payments have been made through the account to date.

The update came during a COPF meeting held in Parliament on June 2, chaired by MP Harsha de Silva and attended by Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera, along with MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Champika Hettiarachchi, and Lakmali Hemachandra.

During the meeting, Auditor General Jayaratne and officials also briefed members on the progress of the National Audit Office’s Annual Programme for 2026. (Newswire)

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The Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka convened yesterday (05 Mar) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, during which extensive discussions were held on nationwide recovery and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

The Task Force, established to coordinate relief, rehabilitation, and long-term development, reviewed the progress of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” initiative and foreign assistance received for the dedicated fund. 

Officials confirmed that a comprehensive assessment report on disaster-affected housing and infrastructure is expected by the end of this month.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed the importance of prioritizing displaced individuals in housing programs, warning of potential social issues if families remain in camps for extended periods. 

District Secretaries from affected areas joined via Zoom to present their concerns and proposals.

Among those present were Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Public Administration Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Labour and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Housing Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and senior officials, including Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

The Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to delivering swift relief, restoring essential infrastructure, and ensuring sustainable recovery for communities affected by the cyclone. (Newswire)

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The inauguration ceremony of the national programme “REBUILDING SRI LANKA”, launched to efficiently steer the country’s rebuilding process, was held in Colombo today (13 Jan), under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This programme is being implemented as an urgent national recovery mechanism with high‑level coordination to respond to post‑disaster rehabilitation and restoration needs arising from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

To provide strategic leadership, coordination, an integrated approach, and supervision for “REBUILDING SRI LANKA”, the President has established a Presidential Task Force comprising 25 members, including ministers and state officials, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Through this programme, guidance will be provided to restore basic needs, sanitation and health, rebuild essential infrastructure, uplift livelihoods and assets, and revive the domestic economy.

In addition, the programme will establish digital data systems and decision‑support mechanisms, strengthen communication and stakeholder relations, and guide overall rebuilding activities, strategic decision‑making, resolution of inter‑ministerial issues, allocation of major funds, and decisions on recovery and reconstruction.

It is also planned to set up sub‑committees under the chairmanship of the relevant line ministers to implement the decisions of the main committee, oversee activities, and monitor progress. (Newswire)

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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:

1. Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Committee – to collect, analyse and assess data on the physical, economic and social impacts of the natural disaster.
2. 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.
3. Housing Restoration Committee for Affected Communities – to repair damaged houses or construct new houses for affected communities in accordance with the recovery plan.
4. 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.
5. Social Infrastructure Restoration Committee – to coordinate the restoration of essential social services, including education, health, water, sanitation and welfare assistance.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Public Communication Committee – to coordinate public communication, awareness-raising and stakeholder engagement in relation to recovery and reconstruction programmes. (Newswire)

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