47 Dead, 21 Missing; Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ Intensifies Crisis as President Convenes All-Party Emergency Meeting
(Lanka-e-News -27.Nov.2025, 10.35 PM) Sri Lanka has been plunged into one of the worst natural disasters in its modern history, after more than 300mm of rainfall swept across the island between the 26th and 27th of November—its highest-ever recorded precipitation over such a short period. For the first time, the Meteorological Department has issued a nationwide red alert, warning of sustained extreme weather conditions.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll has risen to 47, with 21 individuals reported missing, as severe flooding, landslides and gale-force winds continue to batter large swathes of the country. Of these deaths, 37 occurred within just two days, underscoring the speed at which the crisis escalated.
A total of 5,893 people from 1,729 families have been directly affected.
Compounding the disaster, a deep depression off Sri Lanka’s coast has now developed into a cyclone, the Meteorological Department confirmed this afternoon. The storm, officially named Cyclone Ditwah, is expected to intensify adverse weather conditions over the next 48 hours.
With conditions deteriorating, the Ministry of Public Administration announced that all government institutions—except essential services—will remain closed tomorrow (28 November).
Schools across the island, including international schools, have been ordered shut for the next two days. The ongoing GCE Advanced Level Examination, set for 27, 28 and 29 November, has been postponed to three dates in December.
The unfolding national emergency has also forced a temporary halt to parliamentary proceedings. The Budget Committee debate scheduled for 28 and 29 November has been suspended following a meeting of party leaders held this afternoon. Parliament is expected to reconvene on Monday, with sittings extended into the late evening on both Monday and Tuesday.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Presidential Fund to provide Rs. 1 million in compensation for each individual who has died in the disaster. Distribution to the families of the deceased is expected to commence immediately.
In an unprecedented show of unity, the President convened an emergency meeting this morning at Parliament, calling together government and opposition MPs, the Leader of the Opposition, Commanders of the Tri-Forces, the Inspector General of Police, and senior government officials.
With forecasts indicating another two days of intense rainfall, the President urged all MPs to return to their respective districts and activate coordination committees to assist with rescue operations, relief distribution and protection of vulnerable communities.
Special instructions were issued to security forces and local officials to prioritise evacuations, public safety, medical relief, infrastructure protection, and immediate assistance to displaced families. Issues surrounding the continuation of children’s education, including rescheduling of national examinations, were also discussed.
The Badulla District has emerged as the worst-hit area, reporting 23 deaths due to landslides. Five more individuals remain missing.
In Gangoda, Kandy, a major landslide has left around 20 people missing, according to local authorities. Three bodies have already been recovered.
The Nuwara Eliya District has recorded six fatalities, with all ten of its divisional areas impacted by severe weather.
Major General (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda, Director General of the DMC, confirmed that several families were buried when their home, situated in a high-risk landslide zone, collapsed under the pressure of shifting earth.
Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing, with relief teams deployed across all affected regions.
The Road Development Authority announced that toll charges on the island’s expressways have been temporarily suspended, allowing free travel until further notice. The decision was taken to ease transport difficulties and facilitate emergency response efforts.
Authorities have released a series of emergency contact numbers for the public:
117 – National Emergency Hotline
011 243 4028 – Colombo District Disaster Management Coordination Unit
011 213 6136 – Disaster Management Centre Headquarters
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid high-risk zones, and follow official instructions as the country braces for further rainfall and the advancing cyclone.
District Disaster Manegement Centre Units (DDMCU)
1 Ampara
Mr.M.A.C.M.Riyas Deputy.Director (District)
+94 632 222 218
+94 773 957 883
2 Anuradhapura
Lt Col SMDM Samarakoon Asst.Director (District)
+94 252 234 817
+94 773 957 881
3 Badulla
Mr. E. M. L. U. Kumara Deputy Director (District)
+94 552 224 751
+94 773 957 880
4 Batticaloa
Mr.A.S.M.Ziyath Deputy Director (District)
+94 652 227 701
+94 773 957 885
5 Colombo
Wing Comm. G P Dissanayaka Asst.Director (District)
+94 112 434 028 +94 773 957 870
6 Galle
Lt Col JNP Liyanagama Asst.Director (District)
+94 912 227 315
+94 773 957 873
7 Gampaha
Mr. A. M. A. N. Chandrasiri Deputy Director (District)
+94 332 234 671
+94 773 957 871
8 Hambantota
Sqn Ldr KA Kumara Asst.Director (District)
+94 472 256 463
+94 773 957 875
9 Jaffna
Mr.N.Sooriyarajah Deputy Director (District)
+94 212 221 676
+94 773 957 894
10 Kalutara
Lt Col T V N De Saa Asst.Director (District)
+94 342 222 912
+94773 957 872
11 Kandy
Mr.I.A.K.Ranaweera Asst.Director (District)
+94 812 202 697
+94 773 957 878
12 K'galle
Mr.K.A.D.K.S.D Bandara Deputy Director (District)
+94 352 222 603
+94 773 957 876
13 Kilinochchi
Mr.A.M.R.M.K.Alahakoon Asst.Director (District)
+94 212 285 330
+94 772 320 528
14 Kurunegala
Mr.Anura Viraj Dissanayake Deputy Director (District)
+94 372 221 709
+94 773 957 887
15 Mannar
Mr.K.Thileepan Asst.Director (District)
+94 232 250 133
+94 772 320 529
16 Matale
Mr.Chaminda Amaraweera Deputy Director (District) +94 662 230 926
+94 773 957 890
17 Matara
Lt.Col.K.G.C.K.Kudagamage Asst.Director (District)
+94 412 234 134
+94 773 957 874
18 Monaragala
Mr.A.H.Ravindra Kumara Deputy Director (District)
+94 552 276 867
+94 773 957 889
19 Mullaitivu
Acting Mr.S.Kokularajah Asst.Director (District)
+94 212 290 054
+94 773 957 886
20 Nuwaraeliya
Lt Col H B M B N Bandra RWP RSP USP SLA Asst. Director (District)
+94 522 222 113
+94 773 957 879
21 Polonnaruwa
Lt Col AJS Abenayaka
Asst.Director (District)
+94 272 226 676
+94 773 957 882
22 Puttalam
Wing Comm.
W.M.D.T.Bandara Asst.Director (District)
+94 322 265 756
+94 773 957 888
23 Rathnapura
Mr.S.H.M.Manjula Deputy Director (District)
+94 452 222 991
+94 773 957 877
24 Trincomalee
Mr.K.Sugunathas Deputy Director (District)
+94 262 224 711
+94 773 957 884
25 Vavunia
Mr.Ruwan Rathnayake Asst.Director ((District)
+94 242 225 553
+94 773 957 892
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by (2025-11-27 18:16:05)
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