United Nations in Sri Lanka

The Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) is implemented under the overall guidance of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and supported by the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). The HPP will focus on lifesaving and time-critical interventions for vulnerable groups to complement and support national response efforts with the aim of assisting 658,370 people from December 2025 to April 2026.The response will encompass the following:Immediate basic and essential humanitarian interventions such as food assistance, including nutrition support, water and sanitation supplies and services, shelter and essential NFIs, health, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) support and emergency education.Support for displaced families either in safety centres or host communities, to ensure their access to essential services and protection support.Multi-purpose cash (MPC), as feasible, to address basic or other needs identified by affected families, including restoring their livelihoods and agricultural activities.Cash-based assistance will be the primary delivery modality, wherever markets function, to ensure efficient and timely response to urgent household needs.Integrated and principled approach across sectors to support women, men, girls, boys, persons with special needs, and other vulnerable/ marginalized groups safely access services and ensure participation in decision-making.Immediate restoration of essential services, water and sanitation, health, education and local infrastructure, to prevent further deterioration in living conditions.

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06 March 2026

Turning Rights into Reality for Women and Girls

Around the world, millions of women and girls still struggle to access justice, even when laws promise equality. Globally, women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights of men. Beyond the law itself, practical barriers often stand in the way: legal fees, childcare responsibilities, stigma or fear of not being believed.In Sri Lanka, these challenges persist. Some laws still contain provisions that discriminate against women, while many women lack the information or support needed to claim their rights. When justice systems are difficult to reach, equality exists only on paper.But justice is not only achieved through the courts. It also shapes whether women can earn a living, recover from crises, or have a say in decisions affecting their lives. Legal, economic and climate justice are deeply connected, where progress in one strengthens the others.Across Sri Lanka, these connections are reflected in women’s lived experiences. Knowing your rights and being heardIn Maligakanda, one woman arrived at a legal aid camp unsure whether help was even available to her. “I always felt that women had no legal protection. I was afraid to seek legal help… But here, there was no issue. Women can get a lot of help.” Legal aid clinics and awareness programmes supported by the United Nations, through UNDP, UNICEF and partners, are helping bring justice closer to communities. At the “Know Your Neethi” legal aid camp in Badulla, hundreds of people received free legal guidance — most of them women.Another participant, raising three children alone, received advice on resolving long-standing legal issues. “I came, received a solution and went back with a heart full of relief.”When women understand their rights and can access support without fear or cost, justice moves from paper to practice. From invisible work to economic independenceJustice also means economic opportunity. For many rural women, however, work has long been informal and undervalued. Economic justice, in this sense, is not only about income. It is about freedom, dignity and proper recognition of women’s labour.Women entrepreneurs often face limited access to finance, training and technology, while unpaid care responsibilities and social norms further restrict opportunities. Advancing economic justice means expanding access to credit and skills, strengthening market connections, and ensuring women are integrated into value chains rather than remaining invisible contributors.Across rural Sri Lanka, programmes supporting female smallholder farmers are helping shift this reality. The Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Programme, financed by IFAD is one example of how women are being connected with private sector partners, financing and new technologies. This enables women to participate not only as labourers, but as producers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. Economic justice is equally important for women rebuilding their lives after conflict and displacement. In Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, IOM and UNDP, with funding from the UN Sri Lanka SDG fund, have provided women with the knowledge and materials to start small enterprises, launching businesses such as batik production and cassava-based products. These businesses not only provide an income for women, but also create opportunities for others in their communities, opening a path to long-term growth and independence. Justice in a changing climateClimate change adds another layer of inequality. In Sri Lanka, floods, droughts and extreme weather disproportionately affect women, particularly those dependent on farming and informal livelihoods. Climate justice means ensuring women are not only affected by climate action, but actively shaping it. As an international UN Volunteer with UNFPA, Miki Sakiyama works to promote gender equality and youth participation in climate resilience initiatives, helping ensure women’s perspectives are reflected in climate policy and local decision-making. At the community level, farmers across Sri Lanka are also adapting their livelihoods to a changing climate. Through climate-smart agricultural training supported by FAO, farmers like Nirosha Dilmini are adopting improved cultivation practices that strengthen productivity, food security and economic resilience, while ensuring women farmers are not left behind in the transition to more sustainable agriculture. Justice as the foundation of equalityJustice is reflected in everyday outcomes: the ability to seek help, earn a living, and shape decisions about the future.Across Sri Lanka, women’s experiences show that when systems become more accessible and inclusive, rights begin to translate into real opportunities — and lasting change.

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23 February 2026

Let’s Talk It Out: Building Trust through Dialogue

“There’s no issue that cannot be resolved through talking, it’s a popular saying we have. In any society, problems are bound to rise, that’s natural, but the best way to resolve these is to come together and talk it out.” Nalin Dassanayake is a long-standing employee at Sri Lanka Railways and President of the Railways’ Technical Management Officers’ Society. For him, and many others at the Ratmalana and Maligawatta Railways Workshops, these words are not abstract wisdom but a lived reality. This was not always the case. For years, there was little space for workers and management to raise individual or collective grievances, exchange views constructively, or feel heard and included. There was an absence of social dialogue. This frustration often festered into conflict and escalation, resulting in frequent service disruptions, affecting not only workers and management, but also the wider public who depend on reliable public transport. “What’s changed? From what I can recall, the workplace forums have been functioning for about a year and a half now, and we’ve seen a lot of positive outcomes, workplace forums have really strengthened the relationship between workers and management,” says Disna Hansani, Progress Helper (Covering), Motive Power Sub Department. Workplace forums (WPF) are being introduced as an alternate pathway for dispute resolution and prevention in the public sector. They bring together management and workers, including trade unions representatives, as well as other representatives for job categories and functions that are not organised under a trade union. This ensures that every voice is heard and represented equally. S. Veeraiya, a mechanical technician at Sri Lanka Railways highlights what he sees as one of the most significant shift, “In the past, a problem would pass from one person to another before it was finally heard, and someone responded. Now, direct communication is bringing faster solutions.” Disna Hansani shares similar sentiments, “It’s easier to raise our concerns compared to before, not only in being able to bring up the issue, even if it takes a day or two, we now have the confidence and trust on receiving an answer through the workplace forum.” Badra Kumari Ranaweera, Technical Management Assistant, recounts her experience “We previously received an attendance incentive, it was stopped abruptly. This was a cause for concern, especially at a time of high cost of living. But instead of resorting to strikes or conflict, we were able to resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue at the workplace forum.” Established in 2022, the Ratmalana and Maligawatte workshops have 40 and 47-member workplace forums respectively, with women representation intentionally to ensure gender-responsive and inclusive decision making. Since its formation, the forums have addressed occupational and safety health challenges, significantly improving the working conditions, resolved remuneration issues, and strengthened coordination. They have also contributed to advocacy on gender-equitable recruitment, supporting a recent Cabinet decision to recruit women officers for key railway operational roles, from which they were previously excluded. Through its initiative "Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention", the United Nations is working with the Government of Sri Lanka to build on the success and learnings from the pilot programme in Sri Lanka Railways and roll out workplace forums in priority public sectors including education, health, transport, ports, aviation, public administration, with over 64 WPFs already established. Implemented through ILO, UNESCO and UNFPA, the initiative is helping to address issues that cannot be resolved at workplace level, and a national forum is also in concept stage. With funding from the UN Sri Lanka SDG fund, which is supported by Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and the Joint SDG Fund, the UN is delivering training on social dialogue, conflict resolution, inclusion, and regular facilitation and guidance at the inception stage of workplace forums. By bringing management and workers together, workplace forums are helping identify and resolve issues early, promoting constructive engagement, minimizing escalation, and ultimately enhancing public service delivery. Their benefits extend beyond workers alone to address management concerns and broader organizational challenges.“To achieve organizational goals, we need workers who are truly committed,” says K.G.S. Bandara, Chief Engineer, Motive Power Sub Department. “That commitment is hard to build through traditional management and administration methods, even rules, orders, circulars, alone. The need is a shared space where management and workers collectively develop and implement a workplan for the organization, so everyone has a sense of ownership. Workplace forums are immensely supporting this.” “At the end of the day, the aim of everyone, workers and management, is to provide the public with a good service. The workplace forums are playing a role in achieving that”, says Badra. The railways workshops remain loud. Din of metal clanking, voices calling out to be heard over that, energy and sparks filling the space. The seeming chaos is a regular day here. What has softened is the noise born from unexpressed frustration and unheard grievances. In its place open dialogue is taking root, slowly being built on trust, mutual respect, and hope in the belief that problems can indeed be resolved through talking.

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22 December 2025

Living with Loss and Disruption After Cyclone Ditwah

When Cyclone Ditwah brought heavy rains and flooding to Puttalam district, Nethusha was living with his grandmother Lalitha, while his mother worked overseas, sending home every hard-earned rupee to support her family.As the waters rose, Lalitha took Nethusha to higher ground, hoping that their home would still be standing when they returned. Days later, they discovered that the water had taken everything.“When we came back, we saw that the house had been destroyed,” Lalitha recalled.In the days that followed, Nethusha grew quiet and withdrawn. He spoke less, spending long moments staring at the remains of what had once been his home. The sudden loss of his house, his routines and his sense of safety, weighed heavily on him. “When the water came, I felt so sad and scared without my mother.” he wrote in his notebook.When Lalitha later read his words, she realized how deeply the shock had affected him. “When I read what Nethusha had written, I realized how much pain he was carrying,” she said. “Especially because his mother is not here during such a difficult time.”For Nethusha, the flood did not just wash away walls and belongings. It took away his sense of safety, and with it, his mother’s dream of a home built through sacrifice and love. Puttalam: among the hardest-hit districtsPuttalam district, where Lalitha and Nethusha live, is among the areas most severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. More than half of the district’s population has been impacted, with floodwaters damaging homes, schools, roads and livelihoods. Recently planted paddy fields were destroyed, putting immediate pressure on food security for farming families. Many households are still displaced. Homes have been swept away or left structurally unsafe, forcing families to remain in temporary shelters and tents while waiting for support to rebuild.“The walls of the house are cracked, and it is very risky to stay here,” Lalitha explained. “For now, a temporary tent is all we have.” In the immediate aftermath, communities showed remarkable solidarity—sharing food, clothing and water. However, the needs remain urgent, particularly for safe shelter, education and psychosocial support.“There are very generous and supportive people in our country,” Lalitha said. “But we still don’t have a place to live.” Helping children cope after loss and disruptionChildren have been among those hardest hit by the cyclone, facing sudden displacement, interrupted schooling and emotional distress. Through UNICEF, the United Nations in Sri Lanka is supporting children and families in Puttalam and other affected districts with learning kits, psychosocial support and temporary learning spaces. These interventions help children regain routines, process their experiences and return to learning, even as recovery continues.For Nethusha, this critical support offers stability at a time when so much remains uncertain. A coordinated UN response on the groundThrough a coordinated response, UN agencies are supporting families with food assistance, temporary shelter and essential household items, health services and protection support, including dignity kits and psychosocial care. Support for livelihoods, early recovery and employment is also underway. All assistance is guided by rapid needs assessments and delivered in close coordination with national and district authorities, ensuring support reaches those most in need. Responding to urgent needsTo meet the scale of needs following Cyclone Ditwah, the United Nations and humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan, calling for US$35.3 million to support the most vulnerable people affected by the cyclone.The plan focuses on immediate, life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, health, education and protection, while supporting early recovery for families like Nethusha’s, who are still living with the consequences of the floods.As communities begin to recover, continued support is essential to ensure children can return to school, families can rebuild safely, and no one is left behind.

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10 December 2025

“We Lost Everything Overnight”: The Human Toll of Cyclone Ditwah

“Our home was right by the stream,” she recalls. “When the waters rose, everything was washed away.” Now living in a temporary shelter with her mother and young children, she describes the daily struggle to meet even the most basic needs.“My children have no schoolbooks, no clothes. Even the birth certificate of my youngest is gone. There are 32 families here. We have all lost everything overnight.”Like thousands of others across Sri Lanka, Poornima’s family is navigating unimaginable loss while trying to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in on 28 November. The Impact of Cyclone DitwahCyclone Ditwah has left Sri Lanka facing one of the most challenging moments in its recent history. Torrential rains, landslides, and severe flooding swept across all 25 districts, disrupting essential services, damaging infrastructure. More than 600 lives have been lost, and thousands of families have seen their homes severely damaged or destroyed.Communities continue to face a heightened risk of renewed flooding and landslides, complicating recovery efforts and increasing the urgency of coordinated humanitarian support. Scaling Up Urgent, Life-Saving SupportAcross the country, the United Nations and humanitarian partners are supporting national authorities in meeting the most urgent needs. Teams are providing essential non-food items, food assistance, safe drinking water, sanitation support, and emergency health services to affected communities. Protection services, including support for women, children, and vulnerable groups, are ongoing in shelters, while early recovery efforts such as damage assessments and technical support for shelter repairs are underway. The UN continues to work closely with government counterparts, civil society, and local responders to ensure assistance reaches the hardest-hit areas as quickly as possible. Launch of the Humanitarian Priorities PlanIn response to the rapidly evolving needs, the United Nations and humanitarian partners are launching the Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) to guide relief efforts from mid-December through April 2026. The plan identifies 1.2 million people in need, focusing on providing life-saving assistance to an especially vulnerable target population of 658,000 people across priority sectors including education; food security; agriculture and nutrition; health (including sexual and reproductive health); protection; shelter and non-food items; water and sanitation; and early recovery. The HPP is focused, time-bound, and grounded in needs identified through the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment and other joint assessments. To help jump-start the most urgent interventions, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has already allocated US$4 million, contributing to the overall US$35 million required to implement the plan. As a collective framework, the HPP aims to ensure that families like Poornima’s receive timely, coordinated, and dignified support as they begin the long road to recovery.

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10 November 2025

From Student to Advocate

As a final-year law student at the University of Colombo, Asindu Munasinghe never imagined a single programme could change his views on the legal profession. Despite his strong grasp of legal theory, the practical side of the profession felt remote until he signed up for his first legal aid camp.Asindu’s passion for justice grew from a young age after witnessing his father’s numerous land disputes. “I saw firsthand the struggles ordinary people faced within the legal system. When I heard about the legal aid camps, I realised this was my chance to do something meaningful,” Asindu recalls. In an effort to promote legal awareness and access to justice, the University of Colombo Law Faculty, in collaboration with partners, organised multiple legal aid camps across the country. The initiative was part of the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), a multi-year programme initiated in 2022, which aims to build a more efficient, inclusive and accountable justice sector. Funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, JURE brings together stakeholders across state institutions, independent commissions, academic institutions and civil society to drive a national effort in justice sector reform. The legal aid initiative seamlessly integrates two key objectives of the JURE programme: improving access to justice for marginalised communities while providing law undergraduates with hands-on legal experience.In recognition of the increased strain on Sri Lanka's legal aid system due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis, the initiative offers an innovative approach that expands and inculcates pro bono service provision while fostering partnerships between civil society, law students, and the private sector to ensure access to justice for vulnerable communities. Going beyond the classroomThe legal aid camps were organised under the University’s Legal Aid Unit in partnership with JURE and the Legal Aid Commission. They aimed to provide disadvantaged groups with access to justice while equipping law students with much-needed practical exposure. Between 2023 and 2024, 14 legal aid camps were held across 8 districts. These camps provided essential legal support to more than 4,600 individuals struggling with longstanding justice barriers, including land disputes, domestic violence, and labour rights violations. With 925 law students and about 35 pro bono lawyers guiding vulnerable communities through a complex legal system, these camps became a lifeline. Specialised clinics were held for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, fishing communities, and Free Trade Zone workers, among other targeted outreach initiatives. These clinics ensured those with unique legal challenges had access to the support they needed. For law undergraduates like Asindu, this was a rare opportunity to put their skills into practice, gaining invaluable experience in client interaction while deepening their understanding of client sensitivity, ethics, and the role of community engagement in the legal profession.Asindu quickly became deeply involved and took a leading role in organising the legal camps with his peers. This entailed identifying geographic areas in need, securing the support of the Bar Association lawyers, collaborating with the Legal Aid Commission for case handling, and engaging government stakeholders to ensure continued assistance and support. Before each camp, the university students would undergo triage training, learning how to assess cases, maintain confidentiality, and interact sensitively with vulnerable clients. “The first thing I learned was that legal knowledge alone is not enough. Many people who come to us have already been let down by the system. They are frustrated, tired, and often desperate. Our job is not just to advise them but to support them with empathy,” Asindu explained.At legal aid camps, a triage system directs civil cases to lawyers, while law students assist with consultations, case debriefs, and legal documentation, with complicated cases escalated for further legal action and guidance.One of the most impactful moments for Asindu came during a camp held in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, where a woman, clearly in distress, was reluctant to approach the lawyers with her complaint. As Asindu and his peers quietly reassured her and made her feel more at ease, she finally revealed that she had been sexually harassed by a senior officer at her workplace and coerced into signing a legal agreement. With the help of the criminal lawyer she met at the camp, the officer was subsequently demoted and transferred, and she was reassigned to a safer environment.“Through this experience, I’ve realised that being a lawyer is much more than winning cases - we have to stand with those who have no voice and help them feel heard,” Asindu reflects. Restoring faith in the justice sector
The legal aid camps had an immediate impact on the thousands who attended. Through the collaboration of legal professionals and community members, the camps helped create a network of support while empowering beneficiaries with legal knowledge to protect themselves and seek redress. Many, like a programme beneficiary from Kandy, made determined efforts to seek legal assistance. “I skipped lunch to participate in this clinic after hearing about it at my local temple. I am very upset over a property issue, and I can’t afford to pay for legal advice while also caring for my sick family member. Programmes like these are very valuable,” a participant shared.The initiative has significantly increased awareness of legal rights, enhanced access to legal services and promoted improved trust in the justice sector, especially for those who had given up hope. The camps were a critical resource in empowering communities to protect themselves, challenge misinformation, comprehend legal processes, and gain access to mediation. Recognising that many beneficiaries were daily wage earners unable to afford legal assistance, this intervention directly addressed pressing legal aid needs, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can make informed decisions about their cases. Creating a new generation of lawyersThe initiative also had a profound impact on the students themselves. Witnessing the struggles faced by vulnerable communities, Asindu and his peers have committed to working one day of every month pro bono to provide legal aid services to deserving clients. For Asindu, the experience has strengthened his commitment to working in an ethical and empathetic manner. “I am determined that in my career, I will never earn a rupee the wrong way. Where I charge for my services, I will give my clients the best possible support. And where I can serve for free, I will—because justice should never be a privilege,” he says.As Asindu prepares to graduate, he recognises that his legal journey will go beyond building a career. He is determined to continue to be part of this movement to ensure justice for those who need it most.

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A group discussion around a table, with a woman in blue speaking passionately to others.

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Press Release

13 March 2026

UN endorses first-ever global statistical framework to measure disaster risk and impacts

The United Nations has endorsed a new global statistical framework for disaster-related statistics to help countries better understand and reduce growing disaster risks.The Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework (G-DRSF) establishes internationally agreed guidance on how governments produce statistics on disasters from their frequency and intensity, economic losses and infrastructure damage, population and environmental risk and impacts, to efforts we make in reducing disaster risk. Its endorsement comes at a critical moment, as countries face increasingly frequent and severe hazards that strain public finances and threaten to reverse development gains.

For the first time at the global level, the G-DRSF brings together the work of National Statistical Offices and National Disaster Management Offices under one coordinated approach. By aligning data systems across institutions, it is expected to strengthen national disaster data governance and improve the consistency and reliability of information used in policy decisions.

The G-DRSF responds to longstanding calls to look beyond gross domestic product as the primary measure of progress. It provides governments with a more comprehensive evidence base for planning and budgeting by better equipping them to measure not only direct damage from disasters, but also exposure, vulnerability and capacity to cope.

The development of the G-DRSF has been coordinated by the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Disaster-related Statistics, co-chaired by UNDRR, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in response to a 2019 UN Statistical Commission decision to advance a common statistical framework on disaster-related statistics.

The G-DRSF aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and supports reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Goal on Adaptation.

“The Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework shows how regional innovation can shape global progress. It consolidates and scales up the Asia-Pacific framework endorsed in 2018 and sets a strong example of a bottom-up pathway toward internationally coherent disaster-related statistics,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

“Cooperation to prevent disasters relies on having a shared understanding of risks, both within countries and across borders. The Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework is a major milestone in creating a common language to drive disaster prevention. This is a success for multilateralism, and I am grateful to all partners whose commitment made this possible,” shared Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.

As climate-related and other hazards intensify, the endorsement of a shared statistical foundation is expected to strengthen risk analysis, inform safer infrastructure and investment decisions, and support efforts to protect vulnerable communities worldwide.

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Press Release

13 March 2026

Joint Government and United Nations initiative strengthens social dialogue to support inclusive economic recovery in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, 18 March 2026: As Sri Lanka moves forward with economic recovery and reforms, the need for meaningful dialogue has become more important than ever. Without spaces to raise concerns, employee uncertainty can quickly turn into unrest and disruption, affecting both workers and the wider population. Addressing these challenges is critical for public sector transformation and economic recovery. To support this effort, the United Nations, together with the Government of Sri Lanka, is implementing the Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention project.The joint UN initiative responds to pressures arising from Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, and is implemented through the International Labour Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It aims to foster peaceful, inclusive, and just solutions through social dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms at national and local levels, across public and private sector and communities.A key feature of this project is the establishment of workplace forums in priority public sectors. These forums bring together management and workers to identify, prevent and resolve issues early, encouraging constructive engagement, minimizing escalation, and ultimately enhancing public service delivery.Mr. S. Alokabandara, Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Local Government and Provincial Councils, said, “These dialogue mechanisms help resolve long-standing issues, reduce disruptive action and support the transformation of the public service to better meet people’s needs.”“Institutions rooted in social dialogue are more capable, effective, and responsive to public needs which is critical for recovery and resilience,” said Mr. S.M. Piyatissa, Secretary, Ministry of Labour.The project’s impact is already visible. From salary discrepancies and promotion processes to workplace safety and training opportunities, the forums are helping resolve concerns before they escalate into conflicts. They are also proving to be a space for new ideas and actions on enhancing organizational performance and service delivery.In the private sector, collaboration with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon has strengthened grievance-handling systems to improve workplace relations and ensure processes are fair for both women and men , benefiting over 8,000 employees so far.At the community level, the project focuses on groups often excluded from decision-making, including women, youth and informal workers. Community members are being trained in conflict resolution and intercultural dialogue, helping local forums address tensions and promote peace among communities.This week’s third Steering Committee meeting reviewed progress and reaffirmed shared commitments across all areas of work. At a time of economic recovery and reform, social dialogue is essential to prevent tensions, rebuild trust, and strengthen the institutions that serve people across Sri Lanka.The Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention project is funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund, with support from Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and the Joint SDG Fund. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සියලු දෙනා ඇතුළත් ආර්ථික ප්‍රකෘතියට සහාය වීම සඳහා සමාජ සංවාදය ශක්තිමත් කිරීම වෙනුවෙන් රජය සහ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ඒකාබද්ධ මුලපිරීමකොළඹ: 2026 මාර්තු 18: ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ආර්ථික ප්‍රකෘතිමත් වීම සහ ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ සමඟ ඉදිරියට ගමන් කරන විට, අර්ථවත් සංවාදයක අවශ්‍යතාවය කවරදාටත් වඩා වැදගත් වී තිබේ. ගැටළු මතු කිරීමට අවකාශයක් නොමැති විට, සේවක අවිනිශ්චිතතාවයන් ඉක්මනින් නොසන්සුන්තාවයන් වර්ධනය විය හැකි අතර, එය සේවකයින්ට මෙන්ම ජනගහනයට ද බලපායි. රාජ්‍ය අංශයේ පරිවර්තනය සහ ආර්ථික ප්‍රකෘතිය සඳහා මෙම අභියෝගවලට මුහුණ දීම ඉතා වැදගත් වේ. මෙම ප්‍රයත්නයට සහාය දැක්වීම සඳහා, එක්සත් ජාතීන්, ශ්‍රී ලංකා රජය සමඟ එක්ව, සාමය සහ අර්බුද වැළැක්වීම සඳහා වූ සමාජ සංවාදය ව්‍යාපෘතිය ක්‍රියාත්මක කරයි.ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ආර්ථික අර්බුදයෙන් පැන නගින පීඩනවලට ප්‍රතිචාර දැක්වීම සඳහා එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ඒකාබද්ධ මුලපිරීම ක්‍රියාත්මක කරනු ලබන අතර එය ජාත්‍යන්තර කම්කරු සංවිධානය, එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ අධ්‍යාපනික, විද්‍යාත්මක හා සංස්කෘතික සංවිධානය (UNESCO) සහ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ජනගහන අරමුදල (UNFPA) හරහා ක්‍රියාත්මක වේ. ජාතික හා ප්‍රාදේශීය මට්ටමින්, රාජ්‍ය හා පෞද්ගලික අංශ සහ ප්‍රජාවන් හරහා සමාජ කතිකාවන් තුලින් ආරවුල් විසඳීමේ යාන්ත්‍රණයන් පිහිටුවා, ඒ හරහා සාමකාමී, ඇතුළත් සහ සාධාරණ විසඳුම් පෝෂණය කිරීම එහි අරමුණයි.මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතියේ ප්‍රධාන ලක්ෂණයක් වන්නේ ප්‍රමුඛතා රාජ්‍ය අංශයන්හි සේවා ස්ථාන සංසද පිහිටුවීමයි. මෙම සංසද මඟින් කළමනාකාරිත්වය සහ සේවකයින් එකට එකතු කර ගැටළු කල්තියා හඳුනා ගැනීමට, වැළැක්වීමට සහ විසඳීමට, ඵලදායී සහභාගීත්වය දිරිමත් කිරීමට, ගැටුම් අවම කිරීමට සහ අවසානයේ රාජ්‍ය සේවා සැපයීම වැඩි දියුණු කිරීමට කටයුතු කරයි."මෙම සංවාද යාන්ත්‍රණයන් දිගුකාලීන ගැටළු විසඳීමට, බාධාකාරී ක්‍රියා අවම කිරීමට සහ ජනතාවගේ අවශ්‍යතා වඩා හොඳින් සපුරාලීම සඳහා රාජ්‍ය සේවය පරිවර්තනය කිරීමටසහාය වීමට උපකාරී වේ," යැයි රාජ්‍ය පරිපාලන, පළාත් පාලන සහ පළාත් සභා අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් එස්. ආලෝකබණ්ඩාර මහතා පැවසීය."සමාජ සංවාදය තුළ මුල් සවිමත්වූ ආයතන, යථා තත්ත්වයට පත්වීම සහ ඔරොත්තු දීමේ හැකියාව සඳහා ඉතා වැදගත් වන මහජන අවශ්‍යතා සඳහා වඩාත් දක්ෂ, ඵලදායී සහ ප්‍රතිචාර දක්වන" බව කම්කරු අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් එස්.එම්. පියතිස්ස මහතා පැවසීය.ව්‍යාපෘතියේ බලපෑම දැනටමත් පෙනෙන්නට තිබේ. වැටුප් විෂමතා සහ උසස්වීම් ක්‍රියාවලීන්ගේ සිට සේවා ස්ථාන ආරක්ෂාව සහ පුහුණු අවස්ථා දක්වා, ගැටුම් තෙක් වර්ධනය වීමට පෙර ගැටළු විසඳීමට මෙම සංසද උපකාරී වේ. ආයතනික කාර්ය සාධනය සහ සේවා සැපයීම වැඩිදියුණු කිරීම සඳහා නව අදහස් සහ ක්‍රියාමාර්ග සඳහා වන අවකාශයක් බව ද ඒවා ඔප්පු කරමින් පවතියි.පෞද්ගලික අංශයේ, ලංකා සේව්‍ය සංගමය සමඟ සහයෝගීතාවයෙන්, සේවා ස්ථාන සබඳතා වැඩිදියුණු කිරීම සහ කාන්තාවන් සහ පිරිමින් යන දෙපිරිසටම සාධාරණ ක්‍රියාවලීන් සහතික කිරීම සඳහා දුක්ගැනවිලි හැසිරවීමේ පද්ධති ශක්තිමත් කර ඇති අතර, මේ දක්වා සේවකයින් 8,000 කට අධික සංඛ්‍යාවකට ප්‍රතිලාභ ලබා දී ඇත.ප්‍රජා මට්ටමින්, මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතිය කාන්තාවන්, තරුණයින් සහ අවිධිමත් සේවකයින් ඇතුළු තීරණ ගැනීමේදී බොහෝ විට මගහැරෙන කණ්ඩායම් කෙරෙහි අවධානය යොමු කරයි. ප්‍රජා සාමාජිකයින්ට ගැටුම් නිරාකරණය සහ අන්තර් සංස්කෘතික සංවාද පිළිබඳව පුහුණුව ලබා දෙන අතර, එමඟින් ප්‍රජාවන් අතර සාමය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීමට සහ ප්‍රාදේශීය සංසදවලට තම ආතතීන් යොමුකර, ඒවා ආමන්ත්‍රණය කිරීමට අවශ්‍ය මග පෙන්වීම සලසා දීම මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතිය හරහා සිදු වෙමින් පවතී.මෙම සතියේ තුන්වන මෙහෙයුම් කමිටු රැස්වීම ප්‍රගතිය සමාලෝචනය කළ අතර සියලු ක්ෂේත්‍ර හරහා කොටස්කාරීවූ වගකීම් නැවත තහවුරු කරන ලදී. ආර්ථික ප්‍රකෘතිමත් වීමක් සහ ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණයක් සිදුවන අවස්ථාවක, ආතතීන් වැළැක්වීමට, විශ්වාසය නැවත ගොඩනඟා ගැනීමට සහ ශ්‍රී ලංකාව පුරා ජනතාවට සේවය කරන ආයතන ශක්තිමත් කිරීමට සමාජ සංවාදය අත්‍යවශ්‍ය වේ.සාමය සහ අර්බුද වැළැක්වීමේ ව්‍යාපෘතිය සඳහා අරමුදල් සපයනු ලබන්නේ කැනඩාව, යුරෝපා සංගමය, එක්සත් රාජධානිය, එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ මහලේකම්වරයාගේ සාමය ගොඩනැගීමේ අරමුදල සහ ඒකාබද්ධ තිරසර සංවර්ධන සංවර්ධන අරමුදලේ සහාය ඇතිව එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා තිරසර සංවර්ධන සංවර්ධන අරමුදල මඟිනි. இலங்கையில் உள்ளடங்கலான பொருளாதார மீட்சியை ஆதரிப்பதற்காக அரசாங்கமும் ஐக்கிய நாடுகளும் இணைந்து சமூக கலந்துரையாடலை வலுப்படுத்துகின்றன.கொழும்பு, 18 மார்ச் 2026: இலங்கை பொருளாதார மீட்சி மற்றும் மறுசீரமைப்புகளுடன் முன்னோக்கிச் செல்லும் நிலையில், அர்த்தமுள்ள கலந்துரையாடல்களுக்கான தேவை முன்னெப்போதையும் விட முக்கியத்துவம் பெற்றுள்ளது.கவலைகளை வெளிப்படுத்துவதற்கான வாய்ப்புகள் இல்லையெனில், பணியாளர்கள் மத்தியிலான நிச்சயமற்ற தன்மை விரைவாக அமைதியின்மையாகவும் இடையூறுகளாகவும் மாறி, பணியாளர்களையும் பரந்துபட்ட மக்களையும் பாதிக்கக்கூடும். இவ்வாறான சவால்களை எதிர்கொள்வது அரசதுறை மாற்றம் மற்றும் பொருளாதார மீட்சிக்கு மிக அவசியமாகும். இம்முயற்சிக்கு ஆதரவளிக்கும் வகையில், இலங்கை அரசாங்கத்துடன் இணைந்து ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் ' சமாதானம் மற்றும் நெருக்கடித் தடுப்பிற்கான சமூக கலந்துரையாடல்' (Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention) திட்டத்தை நடைமுறைப்படுத்தி வருகின்றது.இலங்கையின் பொருளாதார நெருக்கடியினால் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள அழுத்தங்களுக்குப் பதிலளிக்கும் வகையில் இந்த ஐக்கிய நாடுகளின் கூட்டு முயற்சி அமைந்துள்ளது. இது சர்வதேச தொழிலாளர் ஸ்தாபனம் (ILO), ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் கல்வி, அறிவியல், பண்பாட்டு நிறுவனம் (UNESCO) மற்றும் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சனத்தொகை நிதியம் (UNFPA) ஆகியவற்றின் ஊடாக நடைமுறைப்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. தேசிய மற்றும் உள்ளூர் மட்டங்களிலும், அரச மற்றும் தனியார் துறைகள் மற்றும் சமூகங்களுக்கு இடையிலும் சமூக கலந்துரையாடல் மற்றும் பிணக்குத் தீர்வு பொறிமுறைகள் ஊடாக அமைதியான, உள்ளடங்கலான மற்றும் நீதியான தீர்வுகளை வளர்ப்பதை இது நோக்கமாகக் கொண்டுள்ளது.தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட அரசதுறைகளில் பணியிட மன்றங்களை (Workplace forums) நிறுவுவது இத்திட்டத்தின் ஒரு முக்கிய அம்சமாகும். இந்த மன்றங்கள் நிர்வாகத்தையும் பணியாளர்களையும் ஒன்றிணைத்து, பிரச்சினைகளை முன்கூட்டியே கண்டறிந்து, தடுத்து, தீர்ப்பதற்கு உதவுகின்றன. இது ஆக்கபூர்வமான ஈடுபாட்டை ஊக்குவிப்பதுடன், மோதல்கள் தீவிரமடைவதைக் குறைத்து, இறுதியாக அரச சேவை வழங்கலை மேம்படுத்துகிறது.இது குறித்து பொது நிர்வாக, மாகாண சபைகள் மற்றும் உள்ளூராட்சி அமைச்சின் செயலாளர் திரு. எஸ். அலோகபண்டார கருத்துத் தெரிவிக்கையில், “இந்தக்கலந்துரையாடல் பொறிமுறைகள் நீண்டகாலப் பிரச்சினைகளைத் தீர்க்கவும், இடையூறு நடவடிக்கைகளைக் குறைக்கவும் உதவுவதுடன், மக்களின் தேவைகளைச் சிறந்த முறையில் பூர்த்தி செய்யும் வகையில் அரச சேவையை மாற்றுவதற்கும் ஆதரவளிக்கின்றன” என்றார்.“சமூக கலந்துரையாடலை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்ட நிறுவனங்கள் அதிக திறன் கொண்டவையாகவும், வினைத்திறன் மிக்கவையாகவும், பொதுமக்களின் தேவைகளுக்குப் பதிலளிக்கக்கூடியவையாகவும் காணப்படுகின்றன. இது மீட்சிக்கும் நிலைத்தன்மைக்கும் மிக முக்கியமானது” என தொழில் அமைச்சின் செயலாளர் திரு. எஸ்.எம். பியதிஸ்ஸ தெரிவித்தார்.இத்திட்டத்தின் தாக்கம் ஏற்கனவே வெளிப்படத் தொடங்கியுள்ளது. சம்பள முரண்பாடுகள் மற்றும் பதவி உயர்வு செயல்முறைகள் முதல் பணியிட பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் பயிற்சி வாய்ப்புகள் வரை, பிரச்சினைகள் மோதல்களாக மாறுவதற்கு முன்னரே அவற்றைச் சரிசெய்ய இந்த பணியிட மன்றங்கள் உதவுகின்றன. மேலும், நிறுவனத்தின் செயல்திறன் மற்றும் சேவை வழங்கலை மேம்படுத்துவதற்கான புதிய யோசனைகள் மற்றும் செயற்பாடுகளுக்கான களமாகவும் இவை அமைந்துள்ளன.தனியார் துறையில், இலங்கையின் முதலாளிமார் சம்மேளனத்துடனான ஒத்துழைப்பானது குறை தீர்க்கும் முறைகளை வலுப்படுத்தியுள்ளது. இது பணியிட உறவுகளை மேம்படுத்துவதோடு, பெண்கள் மற்றும் ஆண்கள் இருவருக்கும் சமமான செயல்முறைகளை உறுதிப்படுத்துகிறது. இதன் மூலம் இதுவரை 8,000க்கும் அதிகமான பணியாளர்கள் பயனடைந்துள்ளனர்.சமூக மட்டத்தில், முடிவெடுக்கும் செயல்முறைகளில் பெரும்பாலும் புறக்கணிக்கப்படும் பெண்கள, இளைஞர்கள் மற்றும் முறைசாரா தொழிலாளர்கள் போன்ற குழுக்களுக்கு இத்திட்டம் முக்கியத்துவம் அளிக்கிறது. சமூகங்களிடையே நிலவும் பதற்றங்களைத் தணிப்பதற்கும், அமைதியை மேம்படுத்துவதற்கும் உள்ளூர் மன்றங்களுக்கு (local forums) உதவும் வகையில், சமூக உறுப்பினர்களுக்கு மோதல் தீர்வு மற்றும் கலாச்சாரங்களுக்கு இடையிலான உரையாடல் குறித்த பயிற்சிகள் வழங்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன.இவ்வாரம் நடைபெற்ற மூன்றாவது வழிநடத்தல் குழு (project steering committee) கூட்டத்தில், இதுவரை எட்டப்பட்ட முன்னேற்றங்கள் மீளாய்வு செய்யப்பட்டதுடன், அனைத்துப் பணிகளிலும் ஒன்றிணைந்த அர்ப்பணிப்புடன் செயல்படுவது மீண்டும் உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்டது. பொருளாதார மீட்சி மற்றும் சீர்திருத்தங்கள் முன்னெடுக்கப்படும் இக்காலத்தில், பதற்றங்களைத் தடுக்கவும், நம்பிக்கையை கட்டியெழுப்பவும், இலங்கை மக்களுக்குச் சேவையாற்றும் நிறுவனங்களை வலுப்படுத்தவும் சமூக கலந்துரையாடல் இன்றியமையாததாகும்.சமாதானம் மற்றும் நெருக்கடித் தடுப்பிற்கான சமூக கலந்துரையாடல் ' திட்டமானது, கனடா, ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றியம், ஐக்கிய இராச்சியம், ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் பொதுச் செயலாளரின் அமைதியைக் கட்டியெழுப்புவதற்கான நிதி மற்றும் கூட்டு SDG நிதி ஆகியவற்றின் ஆதரவுடன், ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் இலங்கை SDG நிதியத்தினால் நிதியளிக்கப்படுகிறது.

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Press Release

24 February 2026

Asia-Pacific leaders meet to fast-track action on water, energy, cities and development partnerships ahead of 2030 deadline

The window to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is narrowing and regional progress must speed up. This was the clear message set forth as government officials, development experts, business leaders, civil society representatives and youth gathered today for the opening of the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok.

“The recent weakening of multilateralism threatens to erode the global partnerships we have forged and to unravel established channels for technology transfers, as well as the financing needed for sustainable development,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

She added, “With Asia and the Pacific now a stronghold for both technology and finance, the region holds the means of implementation for sustainable development in its hands. We must collectively consider anew how regional cooperation could provide solutions for our rapidly evolving world.”

H.E. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) underscored the importance of the Pact for the Future which reaffirmed commitments to strengthen multilateralism and reform international cooperation. “When Asia and the Pacific act collectively - whether on climate resilience, connectivity, trade or social protection - it reinforces stability, reduces fragmentation and strengthens the credibility of the international system. Strong regional cooperation does not dilute global ambition; it anchors it in practical collaboration and shared accountability.”

Persistent development gaps highlight need for practical action

H.E. Fane Fotu Fituafe, Minister of Internal Affairs of Tonga was elected as Chair of the 13th APFSD. She emphasized the four-day Forum’s importance as a key platform to review regional progress and discuss equitable, innovative, coordinated actions for sustainable development priorities moving forward at a fast pace.

Progress has remained imbalanced across the region. While access to basic drinking water and sanitation has improved over the past decade, safely managed sanitation services remain uneven, especially in poorer and climate-vulnerable countries. Droughts, floods and saltwater intrusion are making water security more fragile, particularly in landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.

Electricity access is now nearly universal across the region. But in many remote rural and island communities, power supply remains unreliable and expensive. Connecting the “last mile” and making energy affordable is still a major challenge.

The region has also expanded digital infrastructure rapidly. Yet being connected does not always mean being included. Gaps persist in digital skills, affordability and accessibility, especially for persons with disabilities and low-income households.

Beyond regional commitments, much of the work will depend on national and local action. Speakers at the APFSD further emphasized three practical enablers: political leadership willing to take difficult decisions, better use of timely data to adapt policies as conditions change, and stronger collaboration with businesses and civil society to deliver results on the ground.

Wannapong Yodmuang, representative from the Asia-Pacific People’s Forum called for development to be rooted in human rights, care, justice and accountability. “Decision-making power must shift to the people most affected – leading solutions for their own communities.”

“We urge meaningful and sustained engagement for young people. Our recommendations are grounded in equity and justice, and we insist that every young person, in all our diversity, is recognized, included and empowered without exception,” shared youth representative Michelin Sallata.

New regional report highlights rising urban inequality; calls for inclusive and resilient solutions

On the sidelines of the Forum, ESCAP, together with the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, also launched the 2026 Asia-Pacific SDG Partnership Report, Inclusive Urban Futures: From Inequality to Opportunity. The report warns that while cities in Asia and the Pacific are growing rapidly, inequality is growing alongside them: 697 million people live in slums, more than 65% of urban workers are in informal jobs, and 2.3 billion people breathe unsafe air.

The report calls for urgent action to make cities more inclusive and resilient. It showcases people-centred solutions that deliver results, including community-led housing and service delivery, initiatives to expand decent work and social protection for informal workers, and approaches to improve air quality, waste management and climate resilience.

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Press Release

18 February 2026

88% of sustainable development targets will not be met in Asia and the Pacific by 2030 – new UN report

At the current pace, the Asia-Pacific region is set to miss a staggering 103 out of 117 measurable Sustainable Development Goals targets by 2030. The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026, issued today by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), also reveals a picture of deeply imbalanced development in the region.

Gains in health and well-being, and poverty reduction these past decades, are being overshadowed by severe environmental decline and widening inequalities. Evidence shows setbacks in ensuring equal access to education (SDG target 4.5) and compliance with labour rights (SDG target 8.8). Furthermore, insufficient data on gender equality (SDG 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG16), is obscuring policymakers’ understanding of how effectively the most vulnerable are being reached.

In critical areas such as climate action, marine conservation and biodiversity, the situation is not just stalling but rapidly deteriorating. For cities and communities, persistent regression, including damage to critical infrastructure, underscores a dangerous gap between planning and resilience on the ground.

“This report reveals a sobering reality. The very engines of growth that once lifted millions out of poverty and fuelled rapid industrialization are now undermining our future,” shared Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She underscored, “Our greatest collective challenge is also our greatest opportunity: to build a region that is not only wealthier but smarter, healthier and more just.”

There are areas of solid progress. The region continues to advance on industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) and on good health and well-being (SDG 3), driven by steady reductions in maternal and child mortality. Progress in reducing income poverty and expanding access to electricity are notable achievements for the region.

Data availability is improving. Today, 55% of SDG indicators have enough data for progress assessment, placing Asia and the Pacific ahead of the rest of the world.

An annual publication, the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report uses the latest data for global SDG indicators to determine where additional effort is needed in the region and where momentum for future progress is building.

This year, ESCAP has also issued a companion analysis paper which places special emphasis on performance across six transitions: food systems, energy, digital connectivity, education, welfare and social protection, and the environment, reflecting the multifaceted sustainability challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.Read the report: https://www.unescap.org/kp/2026/asia-and-pacific-sdg-progress-report-2026

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Press Release

11 December 2025

The United Nations and humanitarian partners call for US$35 million to provide life-saving assistance to Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditwah

COLOMBO, 11 DECEMBER 2025: The United Nations and humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) today, calling for US$35.3 million (LKR 10.9 billion) to scale up life-saving assistance for communities affected by cyclone Ditwah. The plan focuses on reaching 658,000 of the most vulnerable people in urgent need of support between December 2025 and April 2026.The plan follows the Government’s request for international assistance and complements and supports ongoing national efforts by directing assistance to the people and areas most severely impacted by the cyclone. The HPP’s support spans immediate life-saving assistance in education; food security, agriculture and nutrition; health; protection; shelter, non-food items and camp coordination; water, sanitation and hygiene; and early recovery. It outlines how humanitarian partners are working together to deliver assistance rapidly and in complementarity to nationally led efforts to meet critical needs.Support under the plan is guided by identified vulnerabilities as well as findings from the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment completed with the Disaster Management Centre. An in-depth analysis is underway to guide further interventions. Cyclone Ditwah has caused extensive loss of life and widespread damage across the country. At its peak, nearly 2.2 million people were affected, with over 600 deaths recorded to date and nearly 200 people still missing. More than 91,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. While some families have begun to return home or seek alternative shelter, data indicates that over 85,000 people remain in safety centres. Ongoing monsoon rains continue to pose a hazard, prompting continued landslide warnings and preventing many others from returning.“Cyclone Ditwah has hit the poorest and the most vulnerable the hardest. It has affected nearly every aspect of their lives, intensifying difficulties they were already facing,” said Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. “The Humanitarian Priorities Plan provides a focused approach to delivering life-saving assistance to those most affected, while supporting early recovery. We are calling on the international community to stand with Sri Lanka at this critical moment. Only through continued solidarity and strengthened support can we help families rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.”Beyond the immediate destruction, the impact of the cyclone is placing additional strain on already vulnerable families. Flood water and damaged sanitation systems have increased the risk of water- and vector-borne diseases, while access to health services remains constrained in several districts. Food security is affected due to crop losses, market disruptions and reduced incomes, heightening risks for households already struggling to meet basic needs.Protection risks are also increasing, with crowded shelters and limited facilities heightening the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly for women and girls. An estimated 462,000 children are among those affected by the cyclone, many of whom face disruptions to essential services. The UN and humanitarian partners are continuing to work closely with national authorities to meet urgent needs. From the outset of the disaster, relief items, including non-food items, safe water and sanitation, maternity and dignity kits, and emergency food supplies have been reaching affected communities.While initial contributions from bilateral partners and US$ 4.5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) are enabling rapid assistance, significant gaps remain. The HPP outlines the urgent need for additional resources to fully fund the response and safeguard the most vulnerable. The United Nations calls on the international community to contribute to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches all who need it most.A briefing on the Humanitarian Priorities Plan was held by the UN with the participation of development partners, international financial institutions, and civil society organizations. The Commissioner General of Essential Services, the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre and the Director General of the Emergency Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.

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