In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah’s devastating impact, Sri Lanka has appointed a powerful multi-sector committee to lead the country’s reconstruction under the newly established ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
Cabinet approval has been granted to create the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund as a statutory entity under the Presidential Secretariat, with the aim of restoring the nation after one of the worst natural disasters in recent decades. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Fund will combine both public and private sector expertise to ensure efficient and transparent recovery operations.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Management Committee with the responsibility of assessing national recovery needs, allocating resources, and overseeing the use of funds with full transparency. The Committee also carries the mandate to ensure financial discipline, integrity, and timely auditing throughout the rebuilding process.
Management Committee – Members (Point Order)
- Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
Role: Chairman of the Committee - G. M. R. D. Aponsu
Senior Additional Secretary to the President
Role: Convener - Mr. Hanif Yusoof
Governor, Western Province & Special Representative of the President for Foreign Investments - Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance - Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa
Senior Economic Adviser to the President - Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunawadhana
Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Mr. Mohan Pandithage
Chairman, Hayleys Group - Mr. Krishan Balendra
Chairman, John Keells - Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake
Deputy Chairman & Managing Director, Aitken Spence - Mr. Ashroff Omar
Group Chief Executive Officer, Brandix - Mr. Ishara Nanayakkara
Executive Chairman, LOLC Holdings
The Management Committee is empowered to:
- Evaluate post-disaster recovery needs
- Prioritise reconstruction projects across sectors
- Allocate funds responsibly and transparently
- Monitor and audit financial operations
- Disburse resources for approved rebuilding activities
This newly formed committee is expected to play a central role in Sri Lanka’s national recovery effort, bringing together leading figures from government, finance, industry, and international engagement to rebuild lives, infrastructure, and economic stability.
