Accurate information has now become the backbone of Sri Lanka’s recovery as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivers a firm warning to officials over misleading data that could derail both economic stability and disaster relief efforts.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed that accurate data is essential for economic decision-making and national planning, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to always present factual and verified information. He emphasized that distorted or incorrect data can lead to serious policy failures and warned that accountability must follow negligence. The President directed officials to complete the compensation process for croplands damaged by the recent disaster before December 30 and instructed them to identify accurate data to ensure that compensation reaches only the most deserving beneficiaries. Recalling a past failure, he said that institutions had once claimed there was a surplus of rice in the country, only for Sri Lanka to later suffer a severe shortage, which clearly demonstrated the dangers of unreliable national data.
The President made these remarks while attending a special discussion at the Matale District Secretariat on December 6 regarding the reconstruction of livelihoods affected by the recent monsoon disaster that followed Cyclone Ditwah. Officials informed the President that in 11 Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Matale District, 11,804 people from 5,501 families have been affected. A total of 4,113 people are currently residing in 44 emergency shelters. The damage assessment shows that 119 houses have been completely destroyed while 2,618 houses have sustained partial damage.
President Dissanayake reviewed the progress of restoration work involving highways, electricity supply, water distribution, communication networks, irrigation systems, agricultural lands, and small and medium-scale industries that were disrupted by the disaster. Officials explained that 16 main roads in the district were damaged, of which 12 have already been repaired and reopened to the public. Discussions were held on the urgent reopening of the remaining roads, including Wattegama to Kandegedara, Ukuwela to Elkaduwa, Moragahakanda to Wellawala, and Rattota to Illukkumbura.
Authorities also disclosed that 38 provincial roads were severely damaged and 17 were partially damaged. Out of these, 19 roads have now been fully reopened while 19 remain partially accessible. Electricity Board officials reported that 58 power supply connections were disrupted due to the disaster, but electricity has now been restored to approximately 92 percent of the affected population. However, power restoration in areas such as Ratthota, Ambanganga, Laggala, Ukuwela, Yatawatta, Pallepola, and parts of Matale continues to face delays due to blocked access roads and logistical difficulties.
The disrupted water supply in the district was also discussed in detail. Officials confirmed that nearly 500 families have been deprived of drinking water for more than a week due to blocked roads and damaged supply lines. The President instructed all relevant institutions to coordinate immediately, remove existing obstacles, and restore water supply without further delay. He emphasized that simply sending reports to head offices is not sufficient when essential public services such as electricity, water, and communication are involved. He stressed that officers must take direct responsibility by maintaining constant communication and ensuring immediate solutions for affected communities.
The failure of communication services across the district was also reviewed, and the President instructed all institutions providing telecommunications services to clearly identify regions that require urgent connectivity and to restore operations without delay. He insisted that reliable communication is essential for public safety and disaster response coordination.
The repair of disaster-affected health and sanitation systems was also discussed, and attention was drawn to a proposal to establish the Dambulla Hospital at a new location with expanded medical facilities. The President instructed officials to submit a formal plan along with financial and technical requirements for the proposed hospital development. He also directed district authorities to take steps to reopen schools as much as possible by December 16 and instructed education officials to finalize plans to transfer students from severely damaged schools to nearby institutions. He further emphasized the urgent need for mental health programs to support children affected by disaster-related trauma.
The urgent reconstruction of irrigation systems and reservoirs, the resumption of disaster-affected crop cultivation and livestock farming, and the restoration of bus services that were suspended due to the disaster were also discussed extensively. The President stressed that reviving livelihoods is just as critical as restoring physical infrastructure in ensuring sustainable disaster recovery.
The meeting was attended by Central Province Governor Professor Sarath Abeykoon, Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the District Development Committee Gamagedara Dissanayake, Matale District Parliamentarians B. S. J. Biyangwila, Deepthi Wasalage and Dinesh Hemantha, Central Provincial Council Chairman L. D. Mr. Nimalasiri, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Matale District Secretary L. P. Madanayake, along with a group of ministry secretaries and senior government officials.
