Category: Daily Financial Times

Three major State agencies face an estimated Rs. 216 billion infrastructure funding requirement following damage caused by the Ditwah-related natural disasters, officials told a Parliament Oversight Committee this week.

The three agencies are the Road Development Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board, and National Water and Drainage Board, highlighting the scale of the recovery challenge confronting public finances. The Government has asked Parliament to approve a supplementary estimate for Rs. 50 billion for emergency relief this year with plans to present another supplementary estimate for Rs. 500 billion for 2026.

The estimates relate to the three utilities were disclosed at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held on 11 December at Parliament under the Chairmanship of SJB MP S.M. Marikkar.

Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Highways and Urban Development said preliminary assessments put direct losses at the Road Development Authority at around Rs. 75 billion, after 316 roads and 40 bridges under its purview were damaged.

However, when the additional rehabilitation work required to fully restore the affected road and bridge network is taken into account, the total funding requirement rises to about Rs. 190 billion.

The committee chair noted that assessments covering railway lines and regional roads across the island have not yet been completed and stressed the need for the Ministry to take the lead in developing a structured financing mechanism for the rehabilitation of regional roads.

Officials said a Rs. 2 billion loan from the World Bank is currently being explored, alongside funding from other institutions.

The Ceylon Electricity Board told the committee it has incurred losses of approximately Rs. 20 billion due to damage to electricity infrastructure, with discussions under way with the World Bank to secure funding support. The chair advised the utility to seek grant funding rather than loans, cautioning that additional borrowing could translate into higher electricity tariffs.

Lanka Electricity Company Ltd. reported losses of about Rs. 252 million, but said repair costs can be met through existing budgetary allocations without additional financing.

Officials also said the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has incurred losses estimated at Rs. 5.6 billion after 156 water supply schemes were damaged.

Housing, Construction and Water Supply Ministry officials said all affected schemes have since been restored, with arrangements under way to secure rehabilitation funding as a grant from the Asian Development Bank.

The committee members had stressed the importance of planning for future disasters and said it stands ready to support relevant ministries in strengthening infrastructure resilience, the Parliament Secretariat said.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a Rs. 150 million allocation to the Judicial Service Commission to accelerate the rollout of the e-Court Project, reinforcing the Government’s push to modernise the country’s judicial system in line with its wider fiscal and governance reform agenda.

The funding, drawn from provisions allocated under the Clean Sri Lanka Project, was approved following a proposal submitted by the Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.

The initiative is positioned as a key reform aligned with the public investment priorities set out under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) backed reform agenda for 2026-2030 and the Government’s broader Clean Sri Lanka Strategy, both of which place emphasis on transparency, efficiency and institutional reform.

Sri Lanka has identified the digitalisation of its judicial system as a national priority, with the first phase already underway at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

The apex Court is currently implementing a dedicated website alongside an electronic case management system to handle its case files, marking a foundational step in the judiciary’s digital transformation.

Building on this pilot phase, the e-Court Project is designed to extend the same digital infrastructure across the entire court system, including the Court of Appeal, the Judicial Service Commission and the Institute of Judges.

By adapting and scaling the Supreme Court’s website and electronic case management system, the Government aims to create a unified digital framework for courts nationwide.

Central to the project is the planned establishment of a national judicial data network, which policymakers see as critical to addressing entrenched structural weaknesses in the justice system.

‘Long-standing issues such as prolonged case delays, limited data transparency and procedural inefficiencies have undermined timely access to justice, and the digital shift is expected to bring greater visibility, consistency and speed to judicial processes,’ Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Wijesinghe said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said the e-Court initiative not only as a technological upgrade, but also as an institutional reform that complements Sri Lanka’s broader economic recovery and governance agenda.

‘By linking judicial digitalisation to public investment reforms and anti-corruption strategies, the Government is signalling that improvements in the rule of law and service delivery are integral to restoring public confidence and supporting sustainable development,’ he added.

When the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce led a Sri Lankan business delegation to India’s 30th CII Partnership Summit (organised jointly by Confederation of Indian Industries and Govt of Andra Pradesh, under theme of Technology, Trust, and Trade: Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order) in Visakhapatnam, the goal was simple: understand where India is heading and identify how Sri Lanka can benefit by integrating into the growth rather than be swept aside by it. What the delegation witnessed in Andhra Pradesh was instructive, timely, and relevant to Sri Lanka’s own development challenges. (You can access CII Partnership summit details here: THE CII PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT 2025)

India is becoming a major force in global economic growth. The IMF projects India to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing large economies through the next decade. If Sri Lanka wants to secure its place in the new regional order, it must understand how key Indian states are shaping their economic futures. Andhra Pradesh offered one of the clearest examples at the Summit.

This is not about politics. It is about policy, execution, and how a state can transform itself by thinking long-term and acting with discipline.

Andhra Pradesh’s coastal advantage: Strategy, not luck

Andra Pradesh Government has selected Visakhapatnam as the host city for the Summit. Andhra Pradesh has India’s second longest coastline at 974 km and is already the country’s number two maritime cargo-handling state, moving close to 104 MMT annually, which is almost 15% of all cargo handled in India. As the State Government presented, the model was clear. Ports are not isolated assets. They are part of integrated economic corridors linking logistics, industrial clusters, technology parks, and export zones.

Sri Lanka, with Colombo, Trincomalee, and Hambantota, should be even better positioned. But we lack the same level of integration and forward thinking. The lesson from Andhra Pradesh is straightforward: a port becomes economically powerful when it is embedded in a larger strategy, not when it stands alone.

Governance built for investors

One of the repeated themes at the CII Summit, from top at the level of Chief Minister to bottom, was Andhra Pradesh’s focus on ease of doing business. Investors highlighted faster approvals, predictable processes, and clear lines of accountability. Whether one calls it a +1 model or by another name, the core idea is that every department has a partner in charge of ensuring speed and coordination. They want to go beyond the concept of ease of doing business to concept of speed of doing business.

This kind of administrative clarity is something Sri Lanka desperately needs. Our investors face long wait times, opaque processes, lack of inter-Governmental agency coordination and shifting regulations. In a competitive region, delays are costly. The message from Visakhapatnam was unmistakable: investors go where Governments move with speed, consistency, and discipline.

Betting on the future: Quantum, AI, and Deep Tech

Another eye-opening takeaway from the Summit was Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to emerging technologies. Quantum Valley, a planned cluster for quantum computing research and advanced materials, signals that the state wants to compete in frontier science, not just traditional industry. While India becoming a competitor for quantum computing is a longer journey, Andra is making the playing field for global giants to look at as a competitive venue.

Similarly, new AI and technology parks across the state aim to create ecosystems for automation, robotics, logistics tech, and data-driven services.

Sri Lanka, with its strong ICT base, can learn from this approach. Our ICT exports (Computer and IT/BPO related services) hover around USD 850 million. We have the talent. What we need now is targeted policy framework and timely execution of such policy in AI engineering, marine tech, logistics automation, and renewable energy systems. When Andhra Pradesh is planning for the industries of 2050, then Sri Lanka cannot remain tied to the industries of 2000.

Swarna Andhra 2047: A vision that outlives elections

What impressed many delegates was the clarity of Andhra Pradesh’s long-term development vision. The 2047 roadmap is not just a document. It shapes everything from infrastructure planning to human capital programs.

Sri Lanka has never had long-term development continuity. Economic plans shift with every administration, making it hard to sustain momentum or attract multi-decade investments. The Andhra Pradesh model shows that stability and predictability can be more valuable than generous incentives.

A Sri Lanka 2050 strategy, anchored in consensus and insulated from political shifts, is long overdue.

Human Capital: The quiet engine behind Andhra Pradesh’s rise

The sessions in Visakhapatnam repeatedly highlighted the focus on education and skills. From digital classrooms to university-industry collaboration to specialised skill clusters near industrial hubs, the state is building a workforce ready for advanced manufacturing, AI, logistics, and scientific research.

Sri Lanka’s youth unemployment** remains above 20% despite high literacy and strong institutional persuasion for education. This signals a continuing and clear mismatch between the skills the system teach and the jobs the region is creating. If Sri Lanka wants to benefit from India’s rise and integrate will with global markets, we must critically reform our education system and anchor it to future industries.

How Sri Lanka can position itself

The CII Partnership Summit made one thing clear: India’s growth is opening doors. Decision is ours, walking through them or not is up to us.

In summary, Sri Lanka can consider several areas to focus on:

Build trade links with India’s east coast: Colombo, Trincomalee, and Vizag can become part of a shared maritime corridor supporting transshipment, logistics technology, and green shipping.

Form an Innovation and Tech Collaboration with Andhra Pradesh: Joint AI labs, startup exchanges, university partnerships, and deep-tech incubators can lift both sides.

Align our skills with regional demand: AI, supply chain management, robotics maintenance, renewable energy systems, and port automation will dominate the next decades. Our youth should be trained for this world.

Promote co-investment in manufacturing and services: Sri Lanka can become the services partner for India’s manufacturing boom, offering finance, education, shipping services, and digital health.

Focus on predictable, efficient governance: This is the most important of all above, investors care more about reliability than about incentives. We must simplify approvals, shorten timelines, and create clear points of accountability.

A moment Sri Lanka cannot miss

The CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam was more than a conference. It was a window into a future taking shape next door-a future where states like Andhra Pradesh are not waiting for growth but building it.

Sri Lanka has the geographical advantage and huge talent pool, best in class education and healthcare in South Asia. What we need is the discipline and clarity to act with long-term vision.

The rise of India is the biggest regional opportunity of our generation. Quite similar to UAE as the gateway to Middle Esat, Singapore to East Asia, Sri Lanka should position to benefit from the rise of India. Andhra Pradesh is showing us how to convert opportunity into progress. Sri Lanka can choose to learn from it, partner with it, and grow alongside it-or risk being left out of the next chapter of regional development. The choice is ours.

Flexiprint Ltd., a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s printing and packaging industry, has celebrated yet another landmark achievement by securing the Best Exporter Award (sectoral) at the Presidential Export Awards 2024/25. This accomplishment marks an extraordinary milestone, as the company has now won this prestigious honour for the fourth consecutive year – and an impressive 12 Presidential Export Awards in total. The award was presented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), under the patronage of Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with Industries Minister Sunil Handunneththi gracing the ceremony held at the BMICH.

The Presidential Export Awards (PEA) represent the highest and most distinguished recognition bestowed by the President of Sri Lanka to acknowledge exporters who have made exceptional contributions to the national economy. Organised annually by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the awards program highlights outstanding performance, export excellence, global competitiveness, and long-term commitment to the country’s export sector. The 27th Presidential Export Awards ceremony, held on 11 December, celebrated the achievements of leading exporters for the financial year 2024/2025. Among these top performers, Flexiprint stood out once again, reaffirming its position as one of Sri Lanka’s most dynamic and export-driven industrial leaders.

A journey of innovation and global excellence

Founded in 1994 by Sathis Abeywickrama, Flexiprint began its journey as a modest printing operation with a simple yet ambitious vision – to bring world-class printing and packaging solutions to Sri Lanka. Over the past three decades, the company has evolved into a globally trusted enterprise, supplying premium-quality tea bag tags, envelopes, pyramid mesh with tags, labels, and FMCG packaging to both domestic and international markets.

Today, Flexiprint is widely recognised for its exceptional precision, reliability, and commitment to innovation. Its products are used by some of the world’s most respected tea brands and FMCG companies, who rely on the company for consistent quality, timely delivery, and advanced printing technologies. This sustained global demand has been a major catalyst behind Flexiprint’s recurring success at the Presidential Export Awards.

Founder and Managing Director Sathis Abeywickrama said: ‘We are truly honoured to receive the Best Exporter Award once again. Winning this for the fourth consecutive year is a testament to our team’s unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence. Our journey from modest beginnings to becoming a trusted international partner has been driven by innovation, integrity, and a strong export-focused vision.’

Technology and quality that set new benchmarks

Flexiprint’s sustained success is powered by its investment in state-of-the-art flexographic printing technologies, advanced production automation, and stringent quality systems. The company uses eco-friendly water-based inks, food-grade raw materials, and environmentally conscious processes, meeting both local and international compliance requirements.

Over recent years, Flexiprint has significantly modernised its production facility with new machinery that enhances print clarity, colour accuracy, and efficiency. These advancements have greatly reduced turnaround times while maintaining exceptional product consistency – a key expectation in global markets. The company’s commitment to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement ensures that every product meets the highest benchmarks of precision, hygiene, and safety.

Flexiprint’s emphasis on world-class standards is reinforced through its internationally recognised certifications, including ISO and FSSC credentials. These certifications strengthen customer confidence and place Flexiprint among an elite group of Sri Lankan manufacturers capable of passing rigorous global audits, particularly for food-related and export-oriented packaging products.

People, values, and a vision for the future

At the core of Flexiprint’s excellence lies its dedicated workforce – a team that brings together skill, passion, and commitment. The company strongly believes that its people are its greatest asset. As such, it invests heavily in employee development, offering continuous training, leadership programmes, and technical skill-building opportunities.

Flexiprint also maintains strong emphasis on workplace safety, employee welfare, and an inclusive, collaborative work culture. This supportive environment fosters innovation and ensures long-term employee satisfaction, contributing significantly to the company’s stability and growth.

Speaking about Flexiprint’s future direction, the management stated: ‘This award motivates us to strive for even greater excellence. Our commitment is to expand our global footprint, advance our sustainability initiatives, and continuously elevate our capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.’

Commitment to sustainability and social responsibility

Beyond industrial and export achievements, Flexiprint has always remained deeply committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR). The company actively contributes to community development, educational support, environmental conservation, and employee empowerment. Its ethical business practices reflect a long-term vision that balances profitability with positive social impact.

Flexiprint also values strong, transparent relationships with its customers, suppliers, and partners. These strong, collaborative ties form the backbone of its success, enabling the company to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and grow sustainably.

A proud symbol of Sri Lankan export excellence

As Flexiprint celebrates its fourth consecutive Best Exporter Award, it stands proudly as a symbol of Sri Lankan industrial strength and export leadership. With over 31 years of dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, the company continues to elevate the country’s reputation on the global stage. Flexiprint’s journey demonstrates that Sri Lankan enterprises can not only compete internationally but also lead with distinction, resilience, and progressive vision.

It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of one of my dearests and most trusted friends of many years, Lakshman Balasuriya. He left us on Sunday morning, and with him went a part of my own life. The emptiness he leaves behind is immense, and I struggle to find words that can carry its weight.

Lakshman was not simply a friend. He was a brother to me. We shared a bond built on mutual respect, quiet understanding, and unwavering trust. These things are rare in life, and for that reason they are precious beyond measure. I try to remind myself that I was privileged to spend the final hours of his life with him, but even that thought cannot soften the ache of his sudden and significant absence.

Not too long ago, our families were on holiday together. Lakshman and Janine returned to Sri Lanka early. The rest of the holiday felt a bit empty without Lakshman’s daily presence. I cannot fathom how different life itself will be from now on.

He was gentle and a giant in every sense of the word. A deeply civilised man, refined in taste, gracious in manner, and extraordinarily humble. His humility was second to none, and yet it was never a weakness. It was strength, expressed through kindness, warmth, and dignity. He carried himself with quiet class and had a way of making everyone around him feel at ease.

Lakshman had a very dry, almost deadpan, sense of humor. It was the kind of humor that would catch you off guard, delivered with too straight a face to be certain he was joking, but it could lighten the darkest of conversations. He had a disdain for negativity of any kind. He preferred to look forward, to see possibilities rather than obstacles.

He was exceptionally meticulous and had a particular gift for identifying talent. Once he hired someone, he made sure they were cared for in unimaginable ways. He provided every resource needed for success, and then, with complete trust, granted them independence and autonomy. His staff were not simply employees to him. They were family. He took immense pride in them, and his forward-thinking optimism created an environment of extraordinary positivity and a passion to deliver results and do the right thing.

Lakshman was also a proud family man. He spoke often, and with great pride, about his children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. His joy in their achievements was boundless. He was a proud father, grandfather, and uncle, and his devotion to his family reflected the same loyalty he extended to his colleagues and friends.

Whether it was family, staff, or anyone he deemed deserving, Lakshman stood by them unconditionally in times of crisis. He would not let go until victory was secured. That was his way. He was a uniquely kind soul through and through.

Our bond was close. Whenever I arrived in Sri Lanka, it became an unspoken ritual that we would meet at least twice. The first would be on the day of my arrival, and then again on the day I left. It was our custom, and one I cherished deeply. We met regularly, and we spoke almost daily. He was simply a top-class human being. We were friends. We were brothers. His passing has devastated me.

Today I understood fully the true meaning of the phrase ‘priyehi vippayogo dukkho’ —

^m%sfhys úmamfhdaf.da ÿlafLda and ‘separation from those who are beloved is sorrowful.’

My thoughts and prayers are with Janine, Amanthi, and Keshav during this time of profound loss. Lakshman leaves behind indelible memories, as well as a legacy of decency, loyalty, and quiet strength. All of us who were fortunate to know him will hold that legacy close to our hearts.

If Lakshman’s life could leave us with just one lesson, that lesson would be this. True greatness is not measured in titles or possessions, but in the way one treats others: with humility, with loyalty, with kindness that does not falter in times of crisis. Lakshman showed us that to stand by someone, to believe in them, and to lift them up when they falter, is the highest of callings, and it was a calling he never failed to honour.

The JVP held its 36th annual mega commemorative rally, ‘Il Viru Samaruva’ in November in Colombo to salute their comrades who laid their lives at the hands of their ‘enemies’, when they had valiantly struggled for the supreme objective of creating a socialist society in Sri Lanka in 1971 and in the 1988-’89 period.

Tilvin Silva, the General Secretary of the JVP, in his speech addressing that well organised event said in Sinhala, ‘..Our political movement has a clear vision based on optimal policies. Our fallen comrades sacrificed their lives at the hands of our enemies for the supreme cause to safeguard those policies and our vision.

‘Comrade Fidel Castro once had said that any socialist movement globally should function based on strong policies. We too have policies not only to guide our movement and ourselves but also towards our enemies. Our policy towards our enemies is that we shall never forgive them..’

Generally, any leftist/ Marxist/Communist revolutionary or such a terrorist movement will have to fight against many enemies in order to usurp power or to form an administration based on their ideologies.

Enemies whom they have to face, fight against and defeat consist of owners of the factors of production, feudalists who own private properties, vassals who labour on their properties, the capitalist system consisting mainly of the bourgeoisie, monarchies, social democrats and moderates, religious establishments and others who support such ideologies.

We should not forget the fact that an arch enemy of leftist revolutionaries/terrorists world over, whom they have to fight against is the state sponsored security arm, when unleashed, by the very regimes against whom the former would launch a revolution or a coup d’état.

In 1971 and during the 1987-’88 period, the security arm of the Sri Lankan state by carrying out their bounden duty in protecting two democratically elected Governments, mercilessly annihilated not only thousands of JVP ‘comrades’ who took to arms against those Governments but also their ‘Beloved and Founder Leader’ Rohana Wijeweera.

Slaying of Rohana Wijeweera that had supposedly happened in the hands of the state security apparatus has different versions. To a thunderous applause, at the said rally, did Tilvin Silva express his personal enmity or did he publicly declare the policy of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna with regard to the state security apparatus that had twice crushed their uprisings, ‘an enemy’ of theirs in their struggle to create a socialist communist Sri Lanka?

As global attention focusses on high-stakes peace negotiations, a definitive Sri Lankan perspective on the promise and perils of negotiated conflict resolution comes to print

At a moment when the world is closely watching peace efforts linked to conflicts in Thailand and Cambodia, Gaza and Ukraine, a new book by Prof. G.L. Peiris revisits one of the most closely scrutinised peace initiatives of recent times – the negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Titled ‘The Sri Lanka Peace Process: An Inside View,’ the book is published by Vijitha Yapa Publications. The hardcover volume provides a scholarly, candid and first-hand account of the peace process that began in Sattahip, Thailand, on 16 September 2002, amid widespread international expectation that a brutal 30-year conflict was finally nearing its end.

The talks drew global attention not only for their ambition, but also for what they symbolised: the hope that dialogue could succeed where decades of violence had failed, and that Sri Lanka might offer lessons for the negotiated resolution of other ethnic conflicts. The reality proved more complex. The process unfolded amid international scrutiny, encountering structural weaknesses, competing agendas and political vulnerabilities that ultimately led to its collapse.

This book examines that journey in detail. It analyses the design of the peace process, its strengths and inherent flaws, the limited gains that were achieved, and the factors that precipitated its failure. Importantly, it does so through the lens of the individual who led the Government of Sri Lanka’s negotiations in face-to-face talks with one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organisations, the LTTE.

Prof. Peiris brings exceptional authority to this narrative. A former Dean of the Faculty of Law and Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, he has also served Sri Lanka as Minister of External Affairs, State Minister of Defence, Minister of Education and Minister of Justice. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from Ceylon, and Doctorates from Oxford University and Sri Lanka.

Drawing on this blend of academic rigour and experience at the highest levels of governance, Prof. Peiris offers an objective, analytical and deeply personal account of the peace talks. The narrative is enriched by first-hand insights into the personalities involved, the strategic calculations on both sides, and the realities of negotiating under intense domestic and international pressure.

As contemporary global leaders grapple with the complexities of ending armed conflicts through dialogue, ‘The Sri Lanka Peace Process: An Inside View’ serves as a timely reminder of both the potential and the fragility of peace processes, and of the high cost of missteps along the way.

The book is available in hardcover at Rs. 7,500.

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The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved steps to mill and release paddy stocks purchased during the last Yala season into the domestic market, as the Government seeks to ease supply pressures ahead of the year-end festive period without resorting to direct price controls.

Under a joint proposal submitted by the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha and the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, paddy currently stored in warehouses of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will be milled by PMB-registered private mill owners for 2025 and distributed through Lak Sathosa outlets and the cooperative network.

The paddy was procured using Rs. 6 billion allocated to the PMB in 2025.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that as at 30 November 2025, the Government had purchased 49.5 million kilos of paddy from 13,853 farmers, at a total cost of Rs. 5,949 million.

According to him, the stocks comprise 28 million kilos of Nadu (white), 21 million kilos of Nadu (red), 152,000 kilos of Samba (white), 75,600 kilos of Samba (red) and 12,666 kilos of Keeri Samba.

He noted that these figures reflect the latest verified data, with collection and reconciliation of information still ongoing.

The decision signals a shift from storage to market release at a time when consumer demand typically rises, particularly for staple food.

By channelling rice through State-run and cooperative retail outlets, authorities aim to improve availability and moderate excessive price volatility, even as they acknowledge limits to direct intervention.

Responding to questions on whether the Government would distribute rice at controlled prices during the festive season, Dr. Jayatissa said the State neither intends nor has the capacity to impose price controls.

However, he indicated that the Government would consider offering rice at concessional prices through its networks and would press traders to ensure staple varieties are sold at reasonable rates.

The move to activate PMB stocks also provides an outlet for paddy already purchased from farmers, reducing storage burdens, while supporting market supply.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) continues its humanitarian response to the devastating floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has affected over 1.8 million people across Sri Lanka. MSF is working closely with local partners to address urgent needs in hygiene, shelter, and healthcare.

MSF has delivered 1,000 winterised family tents and 1,500 heavy-duty plastic sheets to the Disaster Management Centre on 14 December. These tents are specially designed to provide safe, warm, and durable shelter for displaced families, particularly in colder regions. The tents will help protect vulnerable populations from exposure to harsh weather conditions and reduce the risk of illness.

MSF in Sri Lanka Emergency Coordinator David Croft said, ‘Providing these winterised tents is a critical step in ensuring displaced families have access to safe and adequate shelter during this challenging time. Our teams remain committed to working alongside local partners to adapt our response as the situation evolves and to support the recovery efforts in Sri Lanka.’

Additionally, MSF has distributed 500 relief kits and 500 dry ration kits to support families displaced by the floods. MSF is preparing to distribute 250 maternity kits and 400 dignity kits to ensure safe maternal care and maintain dignity in emergency shelters.

MSF’s approach emphasises collaboration with locally led organisations and the Disaster Management Centre to ensure aid reaches those most in need efficiently and effectively.