Category: Daily Financial Times

Rejecting calls to present an interim Budget to deal with the post-Ditwah recovery, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday told Parliament that the Government has presented a Rs. 50 billion supplementary estimate to finance urgent disaster relief, with another to be presented for Rs. 500 billion in January 2026.

He asked MPs to approve the measure, noting that it forms part of a broader package of reallocations to address the scale of economic and social damage.

He also said the Government is in discussions with the International Monetary Fund to increase the size of the next programme tranche and has requested an additional $200 million from the Fund’s Special Drawing Rights window to meet immediate foreign exchange needs.

He said the IMF had proposed postponing Sri Lanka’s fifth review from December to January or February following the disaster.

‘In December, we were due to receive a tranche of $ 324 million. We are in discussion to increase that tranche. To increase it, we need both negotiations and time,’ he said.

Discussions with the Asian Development Bank are also under way to secure financing for small and medium-scale enterprises affected by the floods and landslides.

The President said Ditwah was the most severe natural disaster in recent decades and that entire villages and families had been affected. ‘Our aim must be to create a state of higher quality than that which existed for those who lived,’ he said. He confirmed that 1.7 million people had been affected, 5,165 houses destroyed and 57,312 partially damaged.

With the Rs. 50 billion supplementary estimate and an existing Rs. 22.2 billion allocation, the Government has Rs. 72.2 billion earmarked for deployment over the next 25 days.

‘Along with that, we already have Rs. 22.2 billion. That means we have Rs. 72.2 billion to spend over the next 25 days,’ he said. He added that Rs. 10.5 billion had already been released to District Secretaries.

Households will receive Rs. 25,000 to clean and sanitise their homes and a Rs. 50,000 one-off grant to replace essential kitchen equipment.

Families who lost homes to landslides and remain in displacement camps will receive Rs. 25,000 per month for three months, with plans to extend this to six months. Families who lost both homes and livelihoods will receive Rs. 50,000 per month from December to March to secure temporary accommodation.

In agriculture, the Government will provide Rs. 150,000 per hectare for paddy, grains and legumes and Rs. 200,000 per hectare for vegetables.

‘Our aim is to prepare this shattered economy to recover. Agriculture is central to that,’ he said. Registered livestock farms and SMEs will each receive Rs. 200,000, while registered fishing boats that were destroyed will receive Rs. 400,000 per vessel.

The Treasury will provide Rs. 15,000 for educational materials for affected schoolchildren, supplemented by Rs. 10,000 from the President’s Fund. Compensation for disaster-damaged properties includes up to Rs. 5 million for business premises and Rs. 5 million to rebuild fully destroyed houses.

Families without land will receive land or up to an additional Rs. 5 million to purchase land. Grants of Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2.5 million will be available for partially damaged homes. For each death, the State will provide Rs. 1 million.

The President said the Government would redirect Rs. 40 billion from existing road development allocations and had instructed Provincial Councils to use part of their budgets for affected road networks.

He said 87% of the electricity supply had been restored and critical repairs to the Mahiyanganaya 132 kV transmission line were under way, together with work to restore water and telecommunications systems.

President Dissanayake said the economy had been on a recovery path before the disaster, noting revenue of 15.9% of GDP, a projected deficit of 4.5% and improvements in exports and tourism.

‘This (2026) Budget has been prepared with the aim of completing a particular economic strategy. We will not dismantle it,’ he said, rejecting calls for an interim budget.

He added that the Government would present a further Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate to the 2026 Budget and that Parliament would need to meet in December under emergency provisions to consider the immediate estimate now before the House.

He also announced the formation of a Presidential Task Force for reconstruction with seven specialised units and said new legislation would be brought to Parliament to support a multi-year recovery.

Calling for political unity, he said, ‘At least in the face of this disaster, let us come together around a common policy framework and work to lift the country out of this crisis.’ He urged both the Opposition and the private sector to support a three-year national reconstruction effort.

For the first time in history, the Santani Foundation has stepped up as a private entity to foster the dying art of traditional Kandyan dance form, with the introduction of Samula, a heritage dance festival in 2024 and the recent creation of ‘Gurukulaya’ a documentary that showcases and honours the art and the lives of the custodian artisans of Kandyan dance.

The Santani Foundation in collaboration with Scope cinemas held a special screening of the Samula documentary recently at the Havelock city mall complex, as a tribute to Sri Lanka’s gurukula masters, the custodians of one of the islands’ oldest art forms, marking a crucial cultural milestone in Sri Lanka. The momentous occasion was graced by notable personage of the performing arts community such as Prof. Dr. Widyawathie Rajapakse, Upekhka and Anjalika Chitrasena, Heshma Wignaraja and Thaji Dias, along with scholars, media and patrons of the islands’ artistic heritage.

Talking to Daily FT, Santani Foundation’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vikum Nawagamuwage said: ‘With Gurukulaya, we celebrate three main artists who have shaped the trajectory of the Kandyan dance form, Dr. Widyawathie Rajapakse, who mastered the kohomba kankariya despite women being traditionally barred from performing and the Thiththapajjala brothers, Thiththapajjala Sumanaweera and Thiththapajjala Samaraweera, as well as the newer generation of the Chitrasena Dance Company.’ Nawagamuwage is of the view that traditional Sri Lankan art forms, dance in particular, have to be preserved, if not in its original form, then in an evolved form, and that unless sponsors step in, these traditional artisans have no choice but to dilute their art form as living will have to take precedence.

‘Historically, art was preserved by the kings who had the whole treasury at their disposal and beyond our shores, the likes of the Italian Medici family who sponsored artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Since we are neither kings nor the Medicis, I hope that the Government and private sector sponsors will step in and continue what we have started. My next step is to bring a set of sponsors and the Government together who will foster this art form and support these artists to continue their craft. Ideally, the numerous art festivals that take place in Sri Lanka can be amalgamated into a lengthy celebration of all local art forms which will be phenomenal. This initiative is sure to boost the country’s tourism as well,’ he added.

According to Nawagamuwage, one reason our traditional dance is dying a slow death is due to the extremely elevated levels of financial requirements of creating platforms such as Samula. ‘The three-day festival where Kandyan dance in all its glory and myriad forms was celebrated, cost us approximately Rs. 50 million to put together and it was an eye opener as to the adversities of undertaking an event of such magnitude.’ The Santani Foundation through this endeavour, further aims to position the Dumbara area as a cultural hub. ‘I do not want the hippie destination culture to spread throughout the island. What works for Hikkaduwa and Ella will not work everywhere’ he added.

The Gurukulaya documentary honoured, beside the three maestros, the legacy of Chitrasena and Vajira who transformed Sri Lankan dance and opened the stage for female dances, a legacy proudly carried forward by their grand daughters, Heshma Wignaraja who is the curator and artistic director of Samula and Thaji Dias, the principal dancer of the Chitrasena dance company. In addition, it featured Dr. Ravibandu Vidyapathy and Danuka Ariyawansa, two modern day dance veterans of the country.

The Santani Foundation, with the backing of Santani Wellness Resorts’ emphasis on human sustainability, supports cultural, educational, environmental and community-based initiatives across the island. The Samula festival, held from the 2 to 4 August last year, was made possible by their principal sponsor MDF and Australian aid along with other sponsors Her Circle, Sri Lankan Airlines, Aitken Spence Travels, Authenticities, Good life X and other hospitality partners who supported performers with accommodation and logistics.

Sri Lanka received a consignment of canned tuna as relief for the people affected by the adverse weather from the Maldives yesterday, reflecting the strong partnership and regional solidarity between the two nations.

The consignment, handed over last afternoon, consists of 25,000 cases of canned tuna in 14 containers. The shipment was formally handed over by the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Colombo.

Tiesh, a Sri Lankan jewellery brand renowned for its craftsmanship and timeless design, has announced a meaningful partnership with the Infinite Grace Foundation Sri Lanka, an organisation dedicated to transforming lives through love, dignity, purpose, and long-term social impact.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone as two Sri Lankan entities join hands to address some of the country’s most urgent and overlooked challenges, including mental health, drug addiction, prisoner rehabilitation, anti-human trafficking awareness, and the empowerment of estate communities.

Founded on the belief that ‘Every life deserves to be seen and loved,’ the Infinite Grace Foundation symbolises hope, transformation, and inclusion. The Foundation works to extend a lifeline to those often ignored or marginalised, ensuring they are reminded that they are valued, loved, and never alone.

Their vision is deeply aligned to create a Clean Sri Lanka-not only in its physical environment, but in its hearts, minds, and communities. Through systemic intervention, awareness, and rehabilitation, the organisation aims to restore dignity, provide second chances, and help individuals reclaim their potential.

As part of its awareness and empowerment initiatives, Infinite Grace Foundation has launched the ‘I See You’ campaign-an effort to recognise, support, and uplift individuals who have long been overlooked. Through this campaign, the foundation aims to promote year-round advocacy, encompassing mental health support, panel discussions, and collaborations with organisations and hotlines that support vulnerable groups across the island.

In support of this meaningful initiative, Tiesh has designed an exclusive jewellery collection created with intention and purpose. All proceeds from the collection will be donated directly to the Infinite Grace Foundation. The range features intricately crafted earrings, pendants, chains, rings, and more for women, as well as bracelets, cufflinks, lapel pins, and rings for men. Offered in diamonds, as well as gold and silver, each piece carries a profound message-that every life deserves to be seen, acknowledged, and loved.

According to figures released by the Disaster Management Centre at 6 p.m. yesterday, the death toll from the islandwide severe weather has risen to 607, with 214 people reported missing and more than 2.08 million individuals affected across 25 districts.

The DMC said 586,464 families have been impacted, with the highest numbers reported in Puttalam, Colombo, Gampaha and Kurunegala. Kandy recorded the largest number of deaths at 232, followed by Nuwara Eliya with 89, Badulla with 83 and Monaragala and Matale with 28 each.

A total of 4,164 houses have been fully damaged and 67,505 partially damaged. The agency said 1,211 safety centres are operating nationwide, sheltering 43,715 families or 152,537 people.

Districts such as Colombo, Puttalam and Gampaha continue to report large displaced populations as authorities work to restore access, provide relief and assess further risks from unstable ground conditions.

Over 25,000 tourists have arrived amidst and post-Cyclone Ditwah prompting officials to express confidence that the country’s resilience despite natural disasters bodes well.

The inflow of tourists during the past five days was revealed by Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam at the presentation of Five Star certification to Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams yesterday.

He also said that around 250 tourists who were stranded in flood stricken areas were brought back to the city and cared for after which many continued their tour.

‘Tourism can rebound faster even though it is first to be impacted following a natural disaster. This resilience is a big strength for the economy and those dependent,’ Hewawasam emphasised.

Sri Lanka’s tourism surpassed 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since March 2025. The country welcomed 212,906 tourists in November, marking a 16% year-on-year (YoY) growth. It also recorded the highest November arrivals in five years.

In the context of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams being the 33rd to be conferred Five Star hotel status in the country by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Hewawasam said Colombo needs to be revitalised and has the great potential to become the hub in South Asia for leisure, entertainment and MICE tourism.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams CEO and General Manager Sanjiv Hulugalle said: ‘We are deeply honoured to receive this Five-Star Certification from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to world-class service, guest centric innovation, and the elevated experiences that define Cinnamon Life. Our aspiration is to set new standards for luxury, leisure, and MICE tourism in the region, while supporting Sri Lanka’s positioning on the global stage.’

Sri Lanka’s most consistent opener Pathum Nissanka marked his debut in the International League T20 for Gulf Giants with a masterclass knock of 81 off 42 balls inclusive of 6 fours and 4 sixes against MI Emirates at Dubai on Thursday.

Nissanka controlled the run chase of 164 from the beginning, punishing the loose deliveries with sweet timing to enable Giants to start their campaign on a winning note by 6 wickets with 32 balls to spare. Nissanka was dismissed with Giants seven runs short of their target but he had already done his part to put the team on a winning path.

Another Sri Lankan playing alongside Nissanka for Giants, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara took 2/41 to restrict MI Emirates to 163-6.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday instructed officials to collect accurate data on houses affected by the adverse weather for effective compensation disbursements and to provide long-term solutions for housing in flood and landslide risk-prone areas.

At meeting with officials from the Finance Ministry’s National Housing Development Authority (NHDA), the President requested them to ensure that the identification of fully and partially damaged houses affected by adverse weather conditions is carried out according to a proper and transparent methodology.

He further directed them to establish a special mechanism to gather accurate data efficiently, which is essential for the compensation process.

The discussion was convened to review the damage caused to houses by Cyclone Ditwah and to assess the progress of the compensation process.

Highlighting the importance of providing long-term, stable solutions to people living in high-risk and disaster-prone areas so that they are not repeatedly affected by such calamities, the President instructed officials to prioritise the collection of reliable data to support these efforts.

Officials of the NHDA briefed the President that, according to preliminary assessments, 1,289 houses have been completely destroyed, while approximately 44,500 houses have sustained partial damage due to landslides and related impacts.

In a demonstration of solidarity and compassion, the United Arab Emirates has launched an urgent humanitarian response to support Sri Lanka as it deals with devastating floods and landslides. Acting under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has mobilised resources and expertise to assist communities affected by the disaster.

Through the Joint Operations Command, the UAE Aid Agency, the UAE Red Crescent and UAE’s Urban Search and Rescue have coordinated a swift relief mission, deploying specialised search and rescue teams from the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority. These highly trained professionals, equipped with boats and advanced rescue gear, have joined local responders in locating trapped individuals, evacuating families, and providing critical medical care in the hardest hit regions. Their arrival has brought hope to communities facing challenges.

The UAE’s response also includes the rapid delivery of emergency relief supplies. Six flights have arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, up until 4 December operated by the UAE Air Force, one of the world’s largest cargo transport planes. The aircrafts contained temporary housing units, food packs, tents, blankets, mattresses, vehicles for rescue teams, and motorbikes designed to navigate difficult terrain. These supplies are being distributed to displaced families across severely impacted districts.

For many Sri Lankan households, the floods have swept away homes, belongings, and livelihoods. The UAE’s aid trucks and aircraft are delivering immediate relief to these desperate families, ensuring access to food, shelter, and essential survival items. Particularly vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and those with medical needs, are receiving priority assistance. Sri Lanka remains very grateful to the Ambassador of the UAE to Sri Lanka, Khaled Nasser Al Ameri, and the Government of the UAE for the assistance, recognising that such international friendship strengthens ties and resilience and hope during times of crisis.

The Sri Lanka Embassy thanked the UAE’s principled humanitarian policy, which emphasises swift, decisive action in times of global crisis. Rooted in a commitment to uphold human dignity, the UAE has consistently extended its hand to nations in need, regardless of geography. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed that the UAE stands firmly with countries confronting emergencies, pledging humanitarian aid.

As Sri Lanka battles the aftermath of its worst flooding in years, the UAE’s timely intervention highlights the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between nations. By acting promptly and compassionately, the UAE has alleviated suffering and strengthened the spirit of resilience among those affected. The UAE’s swift humanitarian response embodies the very essence of responsible and forward-looking global stewardship.

Thank heavens, no synthetic cosmetic industry has become obsessed with keeping trees looking youthful as they are with humans. But we learn in The Hidden Life of Trees that these earth beings do get ‘old’ but age gracefully. No Botox, no facials, no makeup. This week we continue from chapter 11 titled Trees aging gracefully which points out that trees also shed their skin cells and that in large trees the ‘flakes,’ can be seen scattered around the tree roots. A research that captures old age of trees, the book reveals, was conducted by Dr. Zoe Lindo of McGill University of Montreal, studying the Sitka spruce which had done earth time for at least 500 years. One of the discoveries made were large quantities of moss on the branches. Blue green coloured algae, which capture nitrogen from the air and process it as natural fertilizer down the tree trunks, live in this moss.

Moss which take much time to grow can be described as the treasure trove of the forest. Trees meanwhile are described as unable to grow taller when its roots and vascular system that transport water and nutrition cannot go higher due to age related fatigue. Tree life is finally ended when the trunk snaps. Chapter 12 is titled Mighty Oak or Mighty Wimp, detailing out how the grand Oak Tree displays both weak and strong qualities. For example in the European forests if Beech trees are nearby they snatch up every root space that the Oak is not using. After 150 years of this monopoly the Beech would tower over the Oak in height, by capturing around 97% of the sun. The poor Oak is reduced to starving because it cannot produce sugar with this scanty amount of sunlight.

Then it resorts to what could be called ‘below the belt’ tactics. It grows new shoots and leaves below at the base which although can exist awhile with minimum sustenance, cannot hold on for more than a few decades. As the author Peter Wohlleben points out, the time factor realities that govern us are opposite in the world of natural forests. A tree 100 years old is still considered young.

The Oak meanwhile does show tenacity when put to dire tests such as Oaks who are fated to be born and live upon rocky slopes where the summer heat is scorching and winter chill freezing; both in extreme proportions. Yet the Oak persists although as anemic counterparts to their imposing brothers. Oaks on rocky inclines can grow no more than 15 feet with the tree trunks no thicker than a wrist; even after a century, the book The Hidden Life of Trees tells us. Although the Oaks in the comfy atmosphere of shaded but sunny spots of forests grow to be 100 feet tall, the Oaks in deprived atmosphere maybe nothing to look at but it displays the greatest of stamina, choosing to live despite the odds. In chapter 13 we are shown how different trees display varying characteristics of specialty.

This chapter emphasises that there is no idyllic life anywhere on earth for trees. That it is about adaptability. Probably just like the human world. The Spruce is cited as one of the best conquers of fate, braving it whether in Siberia, Canada or Scandinavia.

The Spruce can survive harsh cold because it stores essential oils in their needles and bark. This, the book notes, acts like antifreeze. The majority tree populace in the Central Europe latitudes, we are told are the Beech. It shares ground space with the Yew, and although the Yew tree species seem to play second fiddle to the Beech, they are specialists in the forest understory, making the most of being second best, while their competitor absorbs the best of natural resources and grows high. The Hornbeam-related to the Birch is said to imitate the Yew but is not so thrifty with-nevertheless surviving beneath Beech dictatorship. The Hornbeam can however compete with the Beech when there is serious lack or extreme of sunlight.

Where the Beech give up in situations such as severe drought the Hornbeam emerges as victor. Chapter 14 is titled Tree or not a Tree and is about the dwarf trees of the Tundra which at fully adult age totaling to a couple of hundred years stand at a mere 8 inches in height. Peter Wohlleben points out that science does not accord the tree status to these earth beings.

They are classified as shrubs. This is how species such as the Arctic shrubby birch, Mountain ash and small beeches are known. The enviable immortality of trees are also mentioned in this chapter where the ancient most spruce in the Dalarna province in Sweden which had grown a flat shrubby growth around its single trunk is estimated to be 9,550 years old. The individual shoots are from different centuries.

It is revealed that before this research it was not thought possible for the spruce to live more than 500 years. We will today end at chapter 15 titled In the realm of darkness, which is about the rich and intricate world of soil. The author notes that a fistful of forest soil could pulsate with more life than the entire human population of planet earth.