The government is planning to convene an international donor conference to seek assistance for rebuilding the disaster-hit country, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said.
He noted that the conference will be held after the completion of the ongoing needs assessment, which is currently being carried out by the World Bank in collaboration with relevant government agencies. Confirming the plan, Minister Herath said the government intends to move forward with an international donor conference once the assessment is finalised.
Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on November 28, triggered severe river floods and landslides across the country, resulting in the deaths of more than 600 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, including highways, power transmission lines, irrigation tanks, canals and buildings.
Earlier, Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi estimated the total damage at around US$ 6–7 billion.
To mobilise funds for reconstruction, the government has already established the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which has received over Rs. 3.4 billion in donations so far, including contributions from business leaders.
Several countries have pledged emergency assistance, with India being the first to respond. Other countries that have extended support include the United States, Australia, Pakistan, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Japan.
In addition, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners last week launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), seeking US$ 35.3 million, or approximately Rs. 10.9 billion, to expand life-saving assistance for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The plan aims to support 658,000 of the most vulnerable people between December 2025 and April 2026, following the government’s request for international assistance.
It complements national recovery efforts by directing aid to the areas and populations most severely impacted, covering critical sectors such as education; food security, agriculture and nutrition; health; protection; shelter and non-food items; camp coordination; water, sanitation and hygiene; and early recovery.
