Sri Lanka to Launch ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ National Programme Under Presidential Patronage

Colombo, The Gulf Observer: Arrangements have been finalized to hold the inaugural ceremony of the national programme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ on Tuesday, 13 January, at the Lotus Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The event will take place under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the programme has been introduced to effectively steer Sri Lanka’s rebuilding process in response to the urgent need for a highly coordinated national recovery mechanism. The initiative focuses on post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation following the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which impacted all parts of the country, resulting in loss of life and extensive damage to both public and private property.

The financing of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme is currently being implemented through three strategic approaches. These include re-purposing, under which the objectives of selected ongoing development projects are being revised; re-allocating, whereby additional funds are allocated in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act beyond existing budgetary provisions—accordingly, a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion is to be prepared for 2026; and mobilising donor support through the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, aimed at attracting domestic, foreign, public, and private contributions.

To ensure effective leadership, coordination, and oversight of the programme, the President has recently established a Presidential Task Force comprising 25 members, including Cabinet Ministers and senior public officials. The Task Force will be chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and is mandated to provide strategic direction and ensure a coherent and unified approach to the national rebuilding effort.