📈 Presidential Task Force (PTF) Set to Lead National Recovery from Cyclone Ditwah

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has established a high-powered, 25-member Presidential Task Force to spearhead the "Rebuilding Sri Lanka" program. Chaired by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, the PTF aims to move beyond immediate relief toward long-term national resilience following the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. • Economic Impact & Funding: - Initial direct physical damage is estimated by the World Bank at US$ 4.1 Bn (~4% of GDP), with total costs potentially reaching US$ 16 Bn. - A Rs. 500 Bn supplementary budget for 2026 has been proposed for reconstruction. - Funding will be managed via the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, utilizing re-purposed development projects and donor support. • Sectoral Priorities & Committees: - Agriculture: Over 227,000 farmers affected; 814 Mn in damages to paddy and livestock, threatening 2026 Maha crop yields. - Infrastructure: US$ 1.74 Bn in damages to roads, bridges, and railways; focus on "Building Back Better" with climate-resilient standards. - Housing: 91,000+ homes damaged or destroyed; US$ 985 Mn in estimated losses to residential buildings. - SMEs & Livelihoods: Targeted support for MSMEs and informal workers through micro-enterprise recovery grants and cash-for-work programs. • Strategic Governance: - The PTF centralizes authority to resolve cross-ministerial bottlenecks and reduce institutional silos. - Key committees include Finance & Funding, Restoration of Public Infrastructure, and Revival of Local Economies. - Integration of a GIS-enabled digital registry is planned to improve data transparency and decision-making. _Summary based on provisional data and official gazette notifications as of January 2026._