Sri Lanka Grapples with Cyclone Ditwah Devastation & Economic Recovery 📈

Sri Lanka faces immense challenges after Cyclone Ditwah, resulting in: • Human Toll: Over 600 deaths reported, with counting ongoing. • Housing Damage: 5,165 houses completely destroyed, 57,312 partially damaged. • Economic Impact: Estimated US$ 7 billion in infrastructural and economic damage, impacting the nation's 2026 growth target of 5%. • Government Response: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expresses confidence in recovery with state, foreign, and local support, despite critics citing neglected early warnings and environmental aspects of development projects. The article also highlights a broader global issue: • Increasing Disasters: An average of 417 natural disasters occurred annually over the last decade, with experts warning of increased frequency due to changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. • "One-Dimensional Economies": The text critiques modern economic systems driven by technological rationalism and consumerism, which prioritize growth (GNP) over environmental sustainability, leading to reckless resource depletion. • Historical Warnings: Intellectuals like Marcuse, Veblen, and reports like the 1972 "Limits to Growth" have long warned about the dangers of unchecked industrialization and resource use. • Global Efforts Challenged: International treaties like the Paris Accord (COP21) aim to limit global warming, but challenges remain, notably the US withdrawal and lobbying from major MNCs impacting environmental initiatives. An "environment-friendly economic paradigm" is urged as essential for long-term immunity from natural havoc.