"We Will Rebuild Sri Lanka, Better Than It Was Before" - President

COLOMBO (News 1st); Confronting criticism over the government’s handling of Cyclone Ditwah, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledged systemic gaps in preparedness and relief delivery, while unveiling a sweeping plan to modernize Sri Lanka’s disaster management architecture and climate resilience.

In an interview with Newsweek, the President described the cyclone as “catastrophic—lives lost, villages submerged, infrastructure torn apart”, emphasizing that defense forces, police, local authorities and international partners mobilized rapidly.

Yet he welcomed “meaningful criticism” as essential to reform, candidly pointing to weaknesses in local preparedness, land-use enforcement, and the speed of relief delivery.

“We are in government and we want to fix the problems.”

— Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Dissanayake announced the creation of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) empowered with real resources and legal authority.

"We will improve our forecasting through better radar coverage. We are pre-positioning rescue equipment and supplies in high-risk areas. We are mapping landslide-prone areas in the central highlands. Of course these districts have experienced landslides before."

He conceded that years of under-preparation left communities vulnerable. With climate change intensifying hazards, he said destruction of this scale was foreseeable, adding:

“For years and years Sri Lanka has failed to prepare adequately.”

Asked whether recurring climate shocks risk trapping Sri Lanka in a cycle of recovery and relapse, Dissanayake warned:

“We will be trapped if we don’t act now.”

He argued Sri Lanka contributes negligibly to global emissions—yet faces existential climate shocks that erase development gains. The long-term plan hinges on:

Climate-resilient infrastructure (higher upfront cost, lower lifetime loss)

Economic diversification into digital economy, IT services, light manufacturing, and climate-resilient industries. Technology-sharing for early evacuation and asset protection. Nature-based solutions: mangrove restoration, reforestation, and wetland conservation

On international partnerships, Dissanayake credited India for the quickest response under Operation Sagar Bandhu, highlighting aircraft, MI-17 helicopters, naval assets including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and NDRF teams. He also thanked Pakistan and the Maldives for timely support, and noted broader global solidarity.

“We can’t afford to be dependent on any single partner.”

“Our future depends on productive relationships with all who contribute to sustainable development, growth, and prosperity.”

Dissanayake framed the rebuild as both urgent and transformational:

“At least now, our government will work with all partners to put effective, efficient and accountable systems in place. We will rebuild Sri Lanka, better than it was before.”