📈 Public Approval High for Cyclone Ditwah Response Amid Infrastructure Gaps

A recent survey by the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) reveals strong public satisfaction with the relief efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, particularly praising executive leadership and first responders. • Overall Institutional Performance • Head of State: 80% satisfaction rating for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s crisis handling. • Political Gap: Satisfaction with NPP politicians stood at 46%, while opposition figures trailed at 24%. • First Responders: Military, police, and volunteers secured over 80% approval. • Relief & Recovery Metrics • Immediate Action: 70% approval for rescue, relief distribution, and service restoration. • Early Warning: Only 52% satisfied with evacuation alerts; 67% with rebuilding support. • Transparency: 71.4% viewed the management of donor funds as transparent; 69% termed relief distribution as fair. • Key Sector Impacts & Gaps • Housing & Land Use: Over 50% cited settlements in high-risk zones and weak land-use enforcement as primary factors worsening the disaster. • Critical Gaps: 58% noted a lack of aid for lost documentation, while 47% lacked psycho-social support in safety centres. • Infrastructure: Inadequate drainage and water management remain significant systemic weaknesses. • Economic Context Based on provisional data, the cyclone caused an estimated US$ 4.1 Bn in direct damage (approx. 4% of GDP). While agriculture suffered US$ 814 Mn in losses, the construction and ICT/BPM sectors are expected to drive 2026 growth during the recovery phase. _Note: Findings based on an island-wide survey of 1,251 respondents across all 25 districts._