Hopes have faded for 366 other people missing after landslides and flooding triggered by the cyclone, which brought record rain across the island last week.
– Our initial estimate is that we will need about six to seven billion dollars for reconstruction – said Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Commissioner General.
Low-lying areas of #SriLanka‘s capital were flooded on Sunday after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island, killing at least 212 people and leaving many more missing. https://t.co/zLmZ3hjGzW pic.twitter.com/eg5JNxomKI
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) December 1, 2025
Chandrakeerthi added that the government is providing 25,000 rupees ($81) to each family to help clean up their homes, while those who lost their homes will receive up to 2.5 million rupees ($8,100).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said foreign aid was essential to finance the recovery, as the country was still reeling from its worst economic crisis three years ago.
Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and promised reconstruction with international support.
“We were just coming out of the economic crisis when we were hit by this disaster, which is the biggest challenge any government has ever faced,” Dissanayake told his top officials on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka declared default on its $46 billion sovereign debt in April 2022 after the country ran out of foreign currency to finance even the most basic imports, such as food, fuel and medicine. The country secured a $2.9 billion bailout loan from the IMF, which said the economy has since stabilized, but Sri Lanka must continue with reforms, including austerity measures.
NOT FOR LIGHT HEARTED PERSONS#DitwahCyclone effect on #Srilanka from last 4 to 5 days in the video.
Srilanka dams and waterfalls discharging enormous amount of flood. pic.twitter.com/R9hEXK1nOG
— Shujeel || (@Its_ShujeelK) December 1, 2025
The 2022 crisis led to months of street protests that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign. Water levels in the capital Colombo began to recede on Wednesday after heavy flooding over the weekend.
More than 1.5 million people in the country have been affected by the natural disaster, and about 200,000 are in government shelters. Some of the worst-hit areas in the central hills remain inaccessible as authorities work to clear roads and restore communication lines.
Despite the disaster, the tourism-reliant country welcomed a luxury cruise ship into the port of Colombo on Tuesday, authorities said.
The arrival sends a clear message to the world – Sri Lanka is safe, open and ready to welcome visitors again – the country’s tourism board said.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
