The inauguration of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme will take place in Colombo today (13).
According to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD), the inaugural ceremony will be held at the Lotus Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The programme has been introduced to effectively guide and coordinate the country’s rebuilding process.
The initiative is being implemented in response to the urgent need for a coordinated national recovery mechanism following the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which affected all parts of Sri Lanka, resulting in loss of life and extensive damage to both public and private property.
At present, financing for the rebuilding programme is being carried out under three strategic approaches. These include re-purposing, where the objectives of selected ongoing development projects are revised; re-allocating, where additional funds are provided in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, over and above existing budgetary allocations—accordingly, a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be prepared for 2026; and mobilising domestic and foreign support, including public and private donor contributions, through the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
To ensure strategic leadership, coordination, a coherent approach and effective oversight, the President has recently established a Presidential Task Force comprising 25 members, including Ministers and senior public officials. The Task Force is chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the PMD said.
The Task Force will provide overall guidance, take strategic decisions, resolve inter-ministerial issues and direct key funding, recovery and reconstruction efforts. Its scope includes the restoration of basic needs, sanitation and health services; reconstruction of critical infrastructure; enhancement of livelihoods and assets; revitalisation of the local economy; establishment of digital data systems and decision-support mechanisms; and improvement of communication and stakeholder engagement.
In addition, several sub-committees are to be established under the chairmanship of relevant line Ministers to implement decisions, monitor progress and ensure effective supervision of the programme.
