Cabinet nod to Rs. 617.7 b Cyclone Ditwah recovery program

Thursday, 2 July 2026 04:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of a Rs. 617.7 billion recovery program comprising 1,066 projects to restore infrastructure, livelihoods, and essential services damaged by Cyclone Ditwah under the Government’s ‘Building Back Better’ policy.

The program includes 1,028 national recovery projects, estimated at Rs. 515.46 billion, to be implemented from 2026 with funding provided through the annual Budget, as well as 38 Provincial Council projects worth Rs. 102.22 billion.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the projects were reviewed by the Department of National Planning and the Public Investment Committee, which assessed the proposals and identified suitable funding sources.

Under the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, disaster and emergency-related public investment projects can be implemented outside the Public Investment Program with Cabinet approval.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister.