Fresh Wave of Aid Arrives from India as Government Expands Official Donation Accounts
(Lanka-e-News -29.Nov.2025, 11.00 PM) Latest Official Situation Report – 8 p.m., 29 November
Sri Lanka continues to reel from the devastation unleashed by Cyclone Ditva, which has now moved away from the island but continues to exert dangerous indirect effects. The death toll and the number of missing persons have climbed sharply.
According to the latest official situation report issued at 8 p.m. on 29 November by the National Disaster Management Centre, all 25 districts have been affected. The confirmed death toll stands at 159, with 203 people reported missing. Authorities warn that, taken together, the figure of 362 lives lost may increase further as search and recovery efforts continue.
The disaster has affected 234,503 families—a total of 833,985 individuals. Some 34,198 families, comprising 122,832 people, are now sheltering across 919 designated relief centres.
Severe flooding has struck major population centres in Colombo and Gampaha. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Naalawala, Pannala, where 11 elderly residents housed in a care facility were swept away by floodwaters. Another 14 residents were rescued; 25 people had been inside the facility at the time of the deluge.
Although the cyclone’s direct impact has subsided, its indirect effects persist, warned Athula Karunanayake, Director-General of the Meteorology Department.
He urged the public to avoid returning to homes located in areas identified as unsafe, especially those temporarily evacuated into relief camps.
Karunanayake warned that heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm may continue over parts of the Northern, North-Central, North-Eastern and Central Provinces. The Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces may also receive rainfall above 50 mm, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected elsewhere.
Damage to the national electricity grid remains significant. Many broken lines have yet to be restored, and the public is advised to exercise caution until the relevant authorities issue safety confirmations.
Officials also warned residents in flood-hit areas not to drink water from wells unless they have been properly cleaned and disinfected, noting the risk of multiple health complications.
Strong winds of 60–70 km/h may persist over land and coastal waters, and rough seas remain a threat. Fishing and naval activities have been strictly discouraged for the day.
Although Cyclone Ditva is expected to make landfall in India within the next 48 hours, New Delhi has continued to dispatch large consignments of relief to Sri Lanka.
Following yesterday’s shipment, two more Indian Air Force aircraft—C-130J and IL-76 transport planes—landed this morning carrying 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and 80 personnel from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The highly trained teams have already been deployed to two of the worst-hit districts: Puttalam and Badulla.
Two Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant, operating jointly with the Sri Lanka Air Force, have carried out four sorties, rescuing stranded civilians and transferring them to safe locations. Later in the afternoon, two MI-17V5 helicopters arrived with additional supplies and support staff.
The latest consignments include emergency shelter materials, sanitary essentials, lighting equipment and items required for immediate safety operations. They were formally handed over to the Sri Lankan government by Dr Satyanjal Pandey, India’s Acting High Commissioner.
The United States has announced USD 2 million in immediate emergency assistance.
The Maldives, Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, has pledged USD 50,000 alongside a donation of 25,000 cans of tinned fish as emergency rations.
Responding to widespread requests, the President’s Media Division has released updated bank account details for contributions aimed at supporting affected families.
Local Currency Contributions (LKR)
Account Name: Deputy Secretary to the Treasury
Account Number: 2026450
Bank: Bank of Ceylon
Foreign Currency Donation Accounts (via Central Bank of Sri Lanka)
1. USD
Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York
Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Account No: 04015541
Routing: 021001033
SWIFT: BKTRUS33XXX
2. Euro (EUR)
Bank: ODDO BHF Bank, Frankfurt
Account No: 0000739854
IBAN: DE39500202000000739854
SWIFT: BHFBDEFF500
3. Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 1
Bank: HSBC Bank Plc, London
Account No: 39600144
Sort Code: 40-05-15
IBAN: GB48MIDL40051539600144
SWIFT: MIDLGB22XXX
4. Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 2
Bank: Bank of Ceylon (UK) Ltd, London
Account No: 88001249
Sort Code: 40-50-56
IBAN: GB89BCEY40505688001249
SWIFT: BCEYGB2LXXX
5. Japanese Yen (JPY)
Bank: MUFG Bank, Tokyo
Account No: 653-0407895
SWIFT: BOTKJPJTXXX
6. Australian Dollar (AUD)
Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia
Account No: 81736-4
BSB: 092002
SWIFT: RSBKAU2SXXX
The government has extended its “deep and sincere gratitude” to individuals, local organisations and international partners for the continuous stream of assistance provided at this critical hour. As rescue operations intensify and thousands remain unaccounted for, the country stands united in mourning—yet supported by a growing circle of global goodwill.
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by (2025-11-29 18:42:00)
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