Sri Lanka Enters Second Phase of Post-Disaster Recovery

Sri Lanka has entered the second phase of post-disaster recovery following the completion of rescue and immediate relief operations, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a courtesy call by the newly appointed High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, Isabelle Catherine Martin, at Temple Trees on Monday (15), according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner conveyed Canada’s condolences over the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and reaffirmed Canada’s readiness to extend further assistance to Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for the support extended by the international community, including Canada, and said efforts are now focused on restoring normalcy. She noted that schools are scheduled to reopen from the following day, with most institutions expected to resume regular activities, and highlighted the need to gradually scale down relief centres where appropriate.

The High Commissioner reiterated Canada’s focus on supporting Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, recognising its importance to livelihoods and economic stability. The Prime Minister responded that the Government has already advised farmers to resume cultivation and has introduced support measures to assist them.

Discussions also covered the importance of effectively implementing official language policies to promote inclusivity, including the potential use of artificial intelligence tools for translation and communication.

The Prime Minister further expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the education sector, particularly through teacher exchange programmes, alongside ongoing student collaboration initiatives, and noted Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Commonwealth of Learning.