Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered the Cabinet of Ministers and the Disaster Management Committee to appear before it on July 15 to answer allegations that the government failed to take necessary precautions ahead of Cyclone Ditva, resulting in widespread destruction. The court’s move follows a petition claiming that the disaster could have been mitigated with better preparation, timely warnings, and proper coordination by the authorities.
The petition was filed by lawyer Keerthi Bandara Kiridena, who argues that the government’s failure to act constituted a violation of the fundamental rights of Sri Lankans. The petitioner maintains that the disaster management system did not operate effectively, and that the country’s leadership under the President and Prime Minister should have anticipated and prepared for the storm’s impact. Kiridena contends that the scale of damage was worsened by the lack of proper communication and preventive measures, particularly in key flood-prone areas.
Central to the petition is the claim that residents of Kandy, Peradeniya, Galaha, and Gampola were not adequately informed before the opening of the Kotmale Reservoir’s sluice gates. The petitioner argues that this failure to issue timely warnings directly contributed to the severity of the flooding, which caused substantial losses to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The case asserts that the government’s negligence intensified the disaster’s impact, turning a potentially manageable flood situation into a crisis.
Kiridena also highlighted personal losses, stating that his office near the Kandy Court Complex was flooded, resulting in the destruction of property, including computer data, and severe disruption to his professional work. The petition underscores the broader consequences of the disaster, emphasizing how ineffective disaster response systems can have long-lasting effects on citizens’ livelihoods and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court’s order was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Achala Vengappuli. The petitioner was represented by President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya, while Senior State Counsel Sabrina Ahmed appeared for the respondents. The court’s decision to summon the Cabinet and disaster authorities signals the judiciary’s readiness to scrutinize the government’s preparedness and response to natural disasters, and could set a precedent for holding officials accountable for failures in public safety and emergency management.
