AKD Unveils Disaster Recovery Plan & Massive Supplementary Estimates 📈

• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rejected calls for an interim Budget, outlining a recovery blueprint based on two major supplementary estimates following the 'Ditwah' disaster. • Immediate funding: Parliament is asked to approve Rs. 50 b for urgent disaster relief on Dec. 19. A further Rs. 500 b supplementary estimate will be presented in Jan. 2026. • Total allocation available for the next 25 days, including existing funds, is Rs. 72.2 b. • International Support: Government is seeking to increase the size of the next IMF tranche (originally $324 m) and has requested an additional $200 m in SDR support for immediate foreign exchange needs. • Household & Property Relief: Compensation for fully destroyed houses and business premises is up to Rs. 5 million each. Displaced families who lost livelihoods will receive Rs. 50,000 per month. • Sector Support: Central focus on agriculture. Grants include Rs. 150,000/hectare for paddy/grains and Rs. 200,000/hectare for vegetables. Registered SMEs and livestock farms will receive Rs. 200,000 each. • The plan includes forming a Presidential Task Force and calling for a three-year common policy framework for national reconstruction. Rs. 40 b from existing road development funds will be redirected.