Sri Lanka calculates cyclone expenses as death toll reaches 465

Sri Lankan officials announced on Wednesday that approximately $7 billion will be needed to restore homes, infrastructure, and businesses devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed at least 465 lives so far. Hope is dwindling for the 366 people still missing following the mudslides and floods caused by last week's record-breaking rainfall.

"Our preliminary calculations suggest a need of six to seven billion dollars for the rebuilding effort," stated Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Commissioner-General of Essential Services, who is coordinating the large-scale recovery operations. He added that the government is providing 25,000 rupees ($81) per family to assist with home cleanup, while families who lost their homes may receive up to 2.5 million rupees ($8,100).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that international support is crucial for the reconstruction, as the nation is still recovering from its most severe economic crisis three years ago. Following the cyclone, Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and committed to rebuilding with global assistance. "We were just beginning to recover from the economic crisis when this disaster struck, presenting the toughest challenge any government could face," he told senior officials on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka defaulted on $46 billion of external debt in April 2022 after running out of foreign currency to fund essential imports like food, fuel, and medicine. The country later received a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF, which reports that the economy has stabilized, contingent on the continuation of reforms including austerity measures. The 2022 crisis triggered widespread protests, ultimately forcing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign.

Floodwaters in the capital, Colombo, were receding on Wednesday after severe flooding over the weekend. The disaster has affected more than 1.5 million people, with around 200,000 taking refuge in government shelters. Several regions in the central highlands remain inaccessible, as authorities work to clear roads and restore communication networks.

Despite the devastation, Sri Lanka's tourism sector welcomed a luxury cruise ship at Colombo port on Tuesday. Officials described the arrival as a signal to the world that "Sri Lanka is safe, open, and ready to host visitors once again," according to the national tourist board.

Author: Sophia Brooks