Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday, 29 December 2025 05:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah’s severe flooding across the Western Province, Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL) has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest and most effective humanitarian responders, deploying urgent relief operations.
RTSL’s first major mission launched in Welampitiya, delivering emergency food parcels, ration packs, medication, and bedsheets to families stranded for days by rising floodwaters. As the disaster expanded, RTSL rapidly scaled its operations, navigating submerged roads and inaccessible areas to reach vulnerable communities across multiple districts.
Relief achievements as of 2 December 2025: 10,000+ food parcels distributed, 1,000+ ration packs delivered, 100 rescues coordinated or assisted, Dry ration airlifts underway to regions inaccessible by road and ongoing fundraising for rations, food parcels, and rescue logistics
In partnership with Yahaguna Padanama and supported logistically by Expolanka, RTSL has begun airlifting dry rations to isolated communities, ensuring uninterrupted support to areas where land access has been completely blocked by floodwaters. Food parcels and ration packs airlifted via the airforce.
RTSL emphasises that the success of its humanitarian mission has been driven by its dedicated volunteers. These teams continue to work long hours in hazardous, waterlogged, and rapidly evolving conditions, providing life-saving assistance and maintaining the organisation’s reputation for speed, compassion, and reliability.
The initiative was founded and directed by Avanka William, whose leadership has been central to RTSL’s rapid response. William coordinated frontline logistics, organised both local and international fundraising, and personally travelled into high-risk flood zones to deliver food, medication, and essential supplies. His efforts have significantly amplified public awareness and mobilised nationwide support.
Supporting him is Randhike Cooray, the operational backbone of the mission. Cooray has overseen dispatching, ground coordination, resource movement, and volunteer management, ensuring the safe and efficient execution of every relief deployment.
RTSL acknowledged the critical support received from its extended family of partner organisations, whose contributions have strengthened and expanded the reach of the relief operations: Ladies Circle Sri Lanka, 41er’s Club Sri Lanka, Tangent Sri Lanka and Round Table International Family, which have provided continuous and generous financial support to sustain and accelerate relief efforts. Their combined assistance ranging from volunteer manpower to essential funding has made a substantial difference in reaching families most affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
RTSL will continue ongoing distributions of ration packs, coordinate further airlift missions, support displaced families, and maintain long-term recovery efforts as Sri Lanka transitions from emergency response into rebuilding.
