Sri Lanka continues to struggle with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with more than 3,000 people—3,146 from 1,075 families—still residing in 32 official safety centres as of 28 February. The vast majority of the displaced population, nearly 150,000 individuals, are staying with relatives, friends, or in alternative locations outside formal camps, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
The cyclone has caused widespread destruction across the island, affecting 220,044 individuals from 64,901 families. Housing damage is extensive, with 5,933 homes completely destroyed and 115,501 partially damaged. Despite Rs. 12,788 million being allocated for compensation for fully destroyed houses, only Rs. 357.58 million has been disbursed to date, leaving many families without financial support to rebuild.
The human toll remains severe. Cyclone Ditwah has claimed 680 lives and left 154 people missing. Kandy District reported the highest fatalities with 254 deaths and 52 missing, followed by Badulla with 90 deaths and nine missing, and Nuwara Eliya with 82 deaths and 31 missing. Other districts, including Kurunegala, Kegalle, and Matale, have also reported significant casualties.
Efforts to resettle displaced families continue to face challenges, particularly in landslide-affected areas. Land Commissioner General Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi said land is being sourced from State lands, donated lands, Land Reform Commission lands, and estates. While nearly 90% of suitable land has been identified, delays persist in districts like Badulla, and each site must be inspected by the National Building Research Organisation to ensure safety before resettlement.
Living conditions in safety centres are increasingly strained. A recent assessment by the International Organization for Migration and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies found severe overcrowding, with an average of 23 people sharing a single toilet—well above international safety standards. Pregnant and lactating mothers are the most vulnerable, representing 64% of the displaced population in these centres.
Compensation disbursement remains slow across multiple categories. Full payments for loss-of-life claims have been made for 323 beneficiaries, while 345 families are still waiting. Only 210 beneficiaries have received payments for fully destroyed houses, and just 3,095 individuals have received compensation for partially damaged homes. House-cleaning and rehabilitation allowances show higher coverage, but significant gaps remain in education and livelihood support.
With thousands still displaced, inadequate camp facilities, and delayed financial assistance, the impact of Cyclone Ditwah continues to strain affected communities and test Sri Lanka’s disaster response capacity.
