- Note that the above image is AI generated
As Cyclone Ditwah leaves families shattered, the government steps in to protect orphaned children, ensuring safety, legal custody, and urgent psychosocial care during a deeply traumatic period.
Children under the age of 18 who lost their parents during Cyclone Ditwah will remain under state protection until formal legal procedures determine their long term custody, the National Child Protection Authority has confirmed.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Shanika Malalgoda, Director of Planning and Information at the National Child Protection Authority, said that under Sri Lankan law, authority over child custody lies solely with the Department of Probation and Child Protection Services, with final decisions made by the courts based on the best interests and individual needs of each child.
She explained that all affected children are currently accommodated in shelters managed by District and Divisional Secretariats, where they are kept under official supervision to ensure their safety and well being.
Malalgoda said efforts are underway to compile a complete and verified list of children orphaned by the disaster. “A concerted effort to collect data is ongoing. It will take some time,” she said, noting the complexity of verifying information in disaster affected areas.
Providing immediate psychosocial support and child focused relief services remains a top priority for the authority. Malalgoda stressed that even if close relatives request custody, children will only be released through formal legal processes. Informal arrangements, she said, are not permitted under the law.
She added that the National Child Protection Authority has expanded its mental health response services to address trauma caused by the cyclone. District psychosocial officers are working closely with district and regional child protection officers to monitor the physical and emotional condition of affected children.
These efforts are supported by volunteers from the University Student Ambassador National Program, a network of trained university students who regularly visit shelters and schools to provide mental health support and child friendly engagement activities for children under 18.
Malalgoda said the well being of these children remains a major concern and appealed for public support. The authority is currently accepting donations of school bags, toys, stationery, footwear, warm clothing, and other essential items. Distribution of donations is being handled directly by National Child Protection Authority officers to ensure transparency and fairness.
She expressed gratitude to individuals, businesses, and Sri Lankans living abroad who have come forward to assist children affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, District Secretariats in affected areas continue verification processes to determine the full scale of the impact. Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte said final statistics are not yet available, as Kandy remains one of the most severely affected districts. A comprehensive report is expected in the coming days.
Matale District Secretary Prasanna Madanayake said that although data collection is ongoing, it appears unlikely that there are orphaned children in the district due to the relatively low number of fatalities.
The National Child Protection Authority reminded the public that its hotline number 1929 remains open for child related concerns, including disaster related issues and general child protection matters.
