Expanded Responsibilities Assigned to Governors and Provincial Chief Secretaries in Post-Disaster Reconstruction
Let us strive to work effectively for the nation without being restricted by routine circulars and daily administrative processes. An invitation from President to all Public Officers
President Directs the Department of Agriculture to Expedite Compensation for Damaged Crops and Provide Seeds and Fertilizer for Replanting
Deploy Staff and Equipment from Low-Affected Areas to Support Infrastructure Restoration in Severely Affected Regions
Private Sector Support Expected to Play a Significant Role in Reconstruction Efforts
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the country has recently faced unprecedented destruction due to the nationwide disaster and in the process of swiftly overcoming this situation and rebuilding the nation, Governors and Chief Secretaries of provinces have been entrusted with extensive responsibilities.
The President also emphasized that the state mechanism has been entrusted with an indispensable role in rebuilding the country following this disaster and he urged all government officials to work efficiently for the nation without being confined by routine circulars or daily schedules.
The President made these remarks during a virtual meeting held via Zoom in the morning, 01st of December with Governors and Chief Secretaries, connecting from the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, provincial-level updates were presented on key priorities, including the restoration of electricity, provision of clean drinking water, repair and maintenance of major roads and rehabilitation of hospitals, along with ongoing action plans and proposals related to these essential services.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that, in the wake of the disaster, a large number of people have been displaced and ensuring their access to food, health and sanitation facilities has become the government’s primary responsibility. The President further stated that the government is giving focused attention to restoring essential infrastructure and services necessary to normalize public life.
The President underscored that the rebuilding process must be carried out according to a proper plan. Accordingly, he instructed the Chief Secretaries of the provinces to promptly submit reports to the Presidential Secretariat detailing the damage in their respective districts, the extent of such damage and the resources required for restoration.
In addition, the President directed that Staff and equipment from areas that experienced minimal impact be deployed to restore infrastructure in regions most severely affected. The President also instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to provide the necessary inputs, including seeds, fertilizers and planting materials, to revive the country’s agricultural sector and to ensure that affected farmers receive immediate compensation to fully recover their losses.
During the discussion, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need for a systematic reporting process and instructed provincial officials to promptly collect detailed information on crop damage, right down to the individual farmer. He highlighted that this information would enable effective planning for the upcoming ‘Maha season’ and ensure that the country secures the necessary harvests.
The President also stressed that attention is being given to reviving small and medium-scale industries destroyed by the disaster, including providing the necessary financial and other support. Plans are in place to restore affected livestock farms by supplying the required assistance to rehabilitate these operations.
He further noted that Chief Secretaries have already been empowered to authorize expenditures of up to LKR 50 million and that more than LKR 30 billion remains unutilized from the 2025 budget’s contingency allocations. Additional funds, if required, can be approved through supplementary parliamentary estimates. Accordingly, the President instructed that the necessary financial provisions be communicated promptly to ensure timely disbursement.
Moreover, he indicated that a portion of the upcoming budget would also be allocated to support these recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
The President stated that discussions have been held with the main telecommunications companies to rapidly restore the damaged communication networks and he expressed confidence that these services will soon return to normal. While the collapse of some major electricity transmission towers may cause temporary delays in power restoration in certain areas, plans are in place to prioritize hospitals, major cities and key government offices to ensure electricity is restored as quickly as possible.
During the meeting, significant focus has been directed towards addressing the drinking water issue, and that substantial drainage systems are undergoing renovation via community water projects.
The President emphasized that the reconstruction process must be implemented through a more robust and coordinated mechanism. To ensure its efficiency, Emergency Regulations has been enacted and a Commissioner-General of Essential Services has been appointed to centrally oversee and manage all related activities.
Highlighting the economic context, President Dissanayake noted that the disaster must not undermine the country’s ongoing economic recovery. The President further stated that a robust Fund is being established to support reconstruction, which will be managed by a Committee representing both the public and private sectors.
The President emphasized that the government is unable to address this crisis independently and highlighted the crucial role of support from the private sector. He further noted that strong partnerships will be forged with non-governmental organizations, volunteer groups, political parties, business communities, Sri Lankans living abroad and friendly foreign governments to ensure the reconstruction process is implemented effectively and efficiently.
