The government has decided to launch two major relief programs to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah; an interim housing project for displaced families and a reconstruction program for damaged religious sites.

Under the first initiative, an interim housing construction project will be implemented for 1,000 families who lost their homes in the cyclone and are currently living in safe centres, tents, and partly damaged houses across four districts. Official data show that the cyclone destroyed 6,088 houses and partially damaged more than 115,000. As of 22 April 2026, 494 families remained in 20 safe centres in Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla, while others continued to reside in temporary shelters and damaged homes.

Authorities had earlier introduced a monthly rental allowance of Rs. 25,000 for families who lost their homes due to landslides and floods, but securing rental houses in the affected areas has proven difficult. 

To address this, the Cabinet approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Defence, to construct interim housing units based on plans prepared by the National Building Research Organization, with the labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Army. The project aims to provide stable living conditions until permanent housing solutions are completed.

In addition, the government has decided to rebuild and repair religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah to ensure worship activities can resume without disruption. 

The Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, together with the Department of Religious Affairs, has planned a coordinated effort to restore temples, churches, and other places of worship affected by the disaster.

Under the Cabinet‑approved proposal, religious sites that were completely destroyed will be rebuilt at their original locations, with priority given to constructing monks’ residences, Dharma halls, main temples, churches, sanitary facilities, and essential water and electricity infrastructure. 

Relief up to Rs. 7.5 million will be provided for such construction. For religious sites partially damaged, up to Rs. 5 million will be allocated for repairs, while minor damages will also be addressed through restoration work. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will inaugurate a national program, tomorrow (27), aimed at restoring religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, with the government moving to fast-track repairs and reopen places of worship across the country, the President’s Media Division said.

The initiative, titled “Godanagamu Adhishtanaye Sanhinda,” will be launched under the patronage of the president and coordinated by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, according to the President’s Media Division.
The program is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Sri Bodhirukkarama Viharaya in Peacock Hill, Doragala, Gampola, and continue at 3 p.m. at the Kawatayamuna Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Matale.

More than 1,000 religious, cultural and archaeological sites were damaged during the cyclone, and the government plans to initiate immediate restoration work to return the affected sites to their original condition while safeguarding their historical and cultural significance.

Restoration efforts will be carried out under the guidance of the Maha Sangha and other religious leaders, with officials emphasizing the importance of broad stakeholder participation in the process. (Newswire)

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