United Nations in Sri Lanka

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Sri Lanka.

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Publication

28 April 2026

UN Sri Lanka 2025 Annual Results Report

The UN Sri Lanka 2025 Annual Results Report highlights the collective work of the UN Country Team, based on USD 74 million delivered in support of the six outcomes of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027): Strengthened, Resilient and Equitable Social Service Systems and Enhanced Well-Being; Sustainable and Inclusive, Green-Led Growth, People-Centered Economic Recovery, Livelihoods and Productivity; Natural Resource Management, Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability; Inclusive Governance, Justice and Rule of Law; Social Cohesion, Sustaining Peace and Human Rights; Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.The report also includes an interim overview of the ongoing Cyclone Ditwah response and future priorities for the UN’s engagements in the country.

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Publication

11 December 2025

Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan

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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Story

08 April 2026

Learning Through the Landslides

Every morning, Indhumathi leaves her home in Badulla town with one goal in mind: to reach her students.Before Cyclone Ditwah swept through Sri Lanka’s hill-country, the journey was straightforward. Buses ran on schedule, and the narrow road to work at a local primary school was reliable.Today, much of that road is gone. Floodwaters and landslides washed away key sections, leaving parts of the route impassable. While main roads have been cleared, many internal plantation roads remain damaged, making it impossible for public transport to access remote areas.Yet, Indumathi makes the journey anyway.With schools instructed to reopen, she now travels by three-wheeler, an expense she can scarcely afford but one she accepts without hesitation.“There is no other way,” she says. “My students are waiting.” More than 35 children who live beyond a collapsed bridge near the school face similar obstacles. With vehicles unable to pass, they walk over rocks and unstable terrain each day just to reach their classrooms.Ganieskar, a Grade 11 student, is facing severe challenges in continuing his education. After the landslide, the school was declared a red zone, and students were relocated to the estate manager’s house to continue their studies. However, the space is not sufficient to accommodate everyone, and many textbooks were lost in the landslide, leaving nearly half the students without proper learning materials.Several of Ganishkar’s friends have stopped attending school altogether due to economic hardships and the long distance they must travel. With no transport available, some students walk nearly six kilometers to reach their classrooms, making regular attendance difficult. As Ganishkar and his classmates prepare for their Ordinary Level examinations — one of the most important milestones in their education — disruptions like these pose serious risks to their long-term learning.Many schools reflect the dual reality of recovery. By day, they are a place of lessons and routine. By night, they serve as temporary shelters for families displaced by landslides. Each day, their belongings are packed away so classes can resume. For elderly people in particular, this daily relocation is exhausting. Yet, families continue to endure, while waiting for safety assessments that will allow them to return home. Cyclone Ditwah left deep scars across Badulla District, affecting more than 90,000 people and causing extensive damage to housing, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The disaster also exposed longstanding vulnerabilities in plantation communities, including the Malaiyaha Tamil community. Many families live on estate land without formal ownership or documentation, making it more difficult to access compensation, housing support and other recovery assistance.For daily wage earners, the impact was immediate. Many rely on plantation or informal labour, earning only when work is available. When roads were cut off and estates temporarily closed, incomes stopped overnight. Women — who make up a significant share of the plantation workforce and informal sector — were particularly affected, as lost wages quickly translated into food insecurity and mounting debt.In response to the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan to assist the most vulnerable communities affected by the disaster. The plan prioritizes urgent, life-saving support toward shelter, agriculture and livelihood support, food security and nutrition, healthcare, education, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection services, while also supporting early recovery efforts to help families rebuild their lives.As part of the response, the United Nations, through UNICEF and partners, has supported the recovery of education and essential services for children by providing learning supplies, establishing temporary learning spaces and rehabilitating damaged school facilities. Schools have also received support to restore safe water access, sanitation facilities and nutrition services. As a result, more than 130,000 children have been able to resume their learning in healthier environments. However, recovery cannot focus on infrastructure alone. Long-term resilience will require addressing structural gaps, durable housing solutions, improved access to public services, stronger social protection systems, and expanded livelihood opportunities for young people seeking alternatives beyond plantation labour. Without these shifts, disasters risk reinforcing cycles of vulnerability.For Indhumathi, the recovery from Cyclone Ditwah is measured in small victories: in students arriving safely, in lessons completed, and the return of smiles and laughter in the classroom. Each day, she makes the same costly journey, driven by the conviction that education cannot pause, even in crisis. “Indumathi” is a pseudonym used to protect the identity of the individual.

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Story

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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02 March 2026

Building a life after conflict: Rani's story

Decades later, the visible signs of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict has gradually diminished, however, many communities continue to face quieter, long‑term challenges. In the Northern and Eastern provinces, families still experience challenges related to displacement, reintegration, limited livelihood opportunities, and gaps in social cohesion - all of which have continued to affect those who were impacted by the war.It was into this landscape that UNDP and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), launched the Expanded Support for Durable Resettlement and Reintegration (EDRR) project with funding support from the UN Sri Lanka SDG Multi Partner Trust Fund. Beginning in 2023 and extending across the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, the project sought to support people to restart their lives with hope.A special focus was placed on women-headed households, ex-combatants, Persons with Disabilities, young people, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning families. Through skills development training, livelihood assistance, counselling, and community level reintegration and infrastructure upgrading , the project helped people regain stability, strengthen community belonging, and move toward long-term peace. Among those supported, Rani’s journey stands as a powerful testament of sustainable reintegration.Rani is a single mother from Jaffna. She lost her husband and two brothers to the war, becoming the sole provider for her son, her parents, and her sister’s family. To support her family, Rani began making homemade chili powder and selling it to neighbours, followed by small export orders. However, without a grinder, production was slow, and rising cost of living forced her to take a second job as a saleswoman.In collaboration with the local government authorities and the CSO partner , Rani was identified as a beneficiary of the EDRR project. She eagerly joined the entrepreneurship and skills development training sessions, where she learned practical skills to strengthen and expand her small business. As part of the support she received, Rani was provided with a grain grinder— which immediately boosted her production capacity.With this new opportunity, she was able to build a small hut just outside her home: a clean, dedicated space where she could grind, pack, and steadily grow her business. What began as a modest effort has now started to flourish, giving Rani the confidence and tools to shape a more secure livelihood for her family.Rani explained that a key moment for her business was when her chili powder was featured at a local Children’s Day celebration and used in community meal preparation, allowing her to reach a wider group of customers. For Rani, this moment was more than just increased sales—it was a sign that her community believed in her work and the future she was building.Through this project, Rani also took part in business development training and peer group counselling. These sessions helped slowly rebuild her confidence, work through past traumas, and begin to envision her future with renewed resilience. “We have little power to choose what happens,” she said, “but we have complete power over how we respond.” Rani’s story is only one among thousands supported by the EDRR project.By 2025, the project had reached more than 4,000 people – including over 1700 women and 1500 men. Through direct livelihood assistance, nearly 1,000 people were able to begin or strengthen income‑earning activities such as small businesses, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, home gardening, and other start‑up ventures. Through entrepreneurship and skills development training and active participation in community initiatives, the EDRR project helped individuals and families rebuild their lives. At - giving them the tools and confidence to rebuild their lives the community level, reintegration was supported through essential infrastructure such as access to clean water, upgrading counselling centres, —creating safer, more supportive environments for communities. Together, these interventions not only improved day‑to‑day well‑being but also helped communities regain a sense of stability and confidence as they worked toward durable resettlement.40% of returnees reported having community-based platforms to resolve social issues, and the active involvement of women and youth in decision-making has enhanced both economic and social resilience, demonstrating that empowering local institutions is key to sustainable, socially integrated resettlement.Across these provinces, the project recorded an exceptional overall performance of 95.8% across key indicators. While challenges remain, , the progress made has laid a foundation for communities to keep moving forward. Families like Rani’s remind us of what becomes possible when support is shaped intentionally, through partnerships that built hope, trust and confidence across all levels of society.

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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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Press Release

25 June 2026

UN Peacebuilding Week Highlights the Role of Inclusive Public Service in Building Peace

COLOMBO, 25 JUNE 2026: Public sector officials, community members and development partners came together for Stories that Connect, an interactive dialogue event organized by the United Nations in Sri Lanka to mark United Nations Public Service Day. Held as part of United Nations Peacebuilding Week, the event highlighted how sustainable peace is built not only through formal agreements and policies, but also through everyday interactions that foster trust, empathy, understanding and a sense of belonging. In Sri Lanka, where efforts to strengthen reconciliation and social cohesion continue, creating opportunities for people to talk and listen to one another, engage across differences and participate in collective decisions that affect their lives can help strengthen relationships between citizens and the government. Inspired by the Human Library concept, the event created a space for participants to share lived experiences, personal journeys and reflections on public service and inclusion. Through open conversations and diverse perspectives, participants explored how empathy and dialogue can help bridge divides, challenge deep-routed assumptions and strengthen understanding and respect. The event featured public servants, community leaders and civil society representatives from across Sri Lanka, including Chaminda Hettiarachchi of the Department of Pensions, Chameesha De Silva of the Department of Posts, Samali Wathsala Kulathunga of the Grama Niladhari Service, Kithsiri from the Gampaha District Administration, Rubadharshan from the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, community representatives Niojini Vinayagam, Anne Subadara Peries and Shiroma Namali, and V. Anthones of the Uva Workers Development Foundation. Through their stories and experiences, they offered unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of building more inclusive and connected communities. Stories that Connect forms part of the Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention Project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government through ILO, UNESCO and UNFPA. The project supports efforts to strengthen alternate dispute resolution mechanisms, dialogue and participation, helping create stronger connections between communities and government institutions as a foundation for lasting peace. The project is supported by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund, with contributions from Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom the Joint SDG Fund and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. Sri Lanka is one of many countries participating in the first-ever United Nations Peacebuilding Week, a global initiative marking 20 years since the establishment of the UN Peacebuilding architecture. The week celebrates progress made in supporting countries to prevent conflict and sustain peace, while highlighting the role of dialogue, participation and trust in building more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.

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Press Release

24 June 2026

Accelerated Shift to Clean Energy Needed to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Tipping Point, UN Chief Warns

COLOMBO, 24 JUNE 2026: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to address what he described as two interconnected global crises: climate change and energy insecurity. Speaking at London Climate Action Week, the UN Chief warned that continued dependence on fossil fuels is driving both rising temperatures and growing energy vulnerabilities, while underscoring that renewable energy offers a pathway to greater energy security, affordability and resilience. "The verdict is in: energy independence cannot be built on fossil fuel dependence," the Secretary-General said, highlighting that renewable energy is now the cheapest source of new electricity in most parts of the world and a cornerstone of long-term energy security. Warning that climate impacts are already disrupting lives, livelihoods and economies around the world, the Secretary-General stressed that accelerating the transition to clean energy is essential to building a more secure, resilient and sustainable future. This message is particularly relevant for Sri Lanka, which is already experiencing the effects of climate change through more frequent floods, droughts and extreme weather events. The Secretary-General also announced a global Call to Action on Methane, focused on accelerating emissions reductions across the fossil fuel, agriculture and waste sectors. Methane is responsible for around one-third of global warming, making it one of the fastest opportunities to slow climate change while delivering benefits for public health, food security and sustainable development. He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, noting that while AI can help advance climate solutions, the systems that power it consume significant amounts of energy, water and land. The Secretary-General proposed an AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, calling on major AI companies to disclose the environmental footprint of their systems and transition data centres to renewable energy by 2030. Responding to the rising threat of climate change, Sri Lanka has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20.09 per cent by 2035 through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). The country also aims to generate 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, expand forest cover and reduce emissions from the waste sector through improved recycling and waste management. The transition also presents significant opportunities for Sri Lanka. Commenting on the Secretary-General's address, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche noted how recent global events have highlighted how vulnerable countries can be to disruptions in international energy markets: “Accelerating the shift to renewable energy is not only a climate imperative; it is also an investment in Sri Lanka's energy security, economic resilience and long-term fiscal stability. With the right investments and partnerships, the transition can create jobs, strengthen communities, while mitigating the impacts of climate change”.

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Press Release

11 June 2026

UN and Partners Mark the End of their Emergency Response to Cyclone Ditwah

COLOMBO, 11 JUNE 2026: In December 2025, Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, triggering the worst flooding and landslides in recent memory. At its peak, over 2.2 million people across all 25 districts were affected, including an estimated 522,000 children. Over 640 people lost their lives and 173 remained missing as of January 2026.In response to the Government of Sri Lanka’s request, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners launched the Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) on 11 December 2025 — a coordinated effort to direct international assistance to the most urgent needs identified through joint assessments with the Government.The United Nations and humanitarian partners have now concluded the HPP. To date, critical assistance has been delivered to 575,000 of the most vulnerable people across all 25 districts — with assistance concentrated in the hardest-hit areas of Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Kegalle.Against a total requirement of US$ 35.3 million, the response raised US$ 28.5 million in donor contributions — a testament to the international community's confidence in the country and its solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. The response was made possible thanks to Australia, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, the United States, Japan, the European Union, Norway, Canada, the Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Cyprus, and Switzerland.Additional contributions came through UNICEF National Committees in the United States and Germany, the UNICEF Global Thematic Emergency Response Fund, the National Union of Public and General Employees Canada, FAO's Special Fund for Emergency and Resilience Activities, and emergency financing mechanisms of WHO, UNESCO and UNDP.The international humanitarian response extended well beyond the HPP. Over 20 countries contributed financial bilateral assistance, while 19 countries deployed search and rescue teams or provided in-kind and technical support — a reflection of the breadth of international solidarity with Sri Lanka.Behind the numbers are countless personal experiences. Alice Nona was at home with her three children in Kandy District, when Cyclone Ditwah struck. By the time the storm passed, their house had completely collapsed. “We lost everything and were displaced overnight,” she says. Alice, a single mother, received emergency cash assistance through the HPP. “We used the money for food and other essentials, and to buy clothes for my children. We are thankful for the support, as we had nothing at the time.”Throughout, the HPP was designed to complement national efforts by delivering quickly and focusing on reaching the most vulnerable first. The HPP provided cash assistance to families in need — complementing the Government's own cash assistance programme — as well as transitional shelters to displaced households, while ensuring that the shelters had access to safe water and sanitation. 83 partner organizations worked alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Disaster Management Centre, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre, relevant ministries, and the Commissioner-General of Essential Services — ensuring that international support reinforced the Government's own response.“When national leadership is strong, when local ownership is respected, and when partnerships are effective, we can deliver help more quickly, more fairly, and more efficiently to those who need it most," said Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Commissioner General of Essential Services. "The partnership demonstrated through the Humanitarian Priorities Plan has shown that Sri Lanka can respond more effectively when we act together, with clarity of purpose and respect for each other's roles."“Sri Lanka did not face this terrible disaster alone," said Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. "From the very first days, humanitarian partners and the government worked shoulder to shoulder — from the national level to the most affected villages. The international community rallied, and the resilience and solidarity shown by the Sri Lankan people themselves was nothing short of inspiring. The road to recovery is long — and we will walk every step of it alongside the Government and people of Sri Lanka."Even as the humanitarian response concludes, the scale of the recovery challenge is becoming clearer. The Government's Post-Disaster Needs Assessment estimates resilient recovery and reconstruction needs at US$ 3.4 billion. An estimated 113,000 homes were damaged or destroyed — with the heaviest toll falling on those already most vulnerable: women, children, plantation communities, and informal workers, many of whom were still recovering from the 2022 economic crisis.While the HPP is concluding, the recovery journey is far from over. Many families remain displaced, facing complex challenges around land and permanent housing. The Government has taken important steps, including the rollout of transitional shelter programmes and ongoing efforts to support relocation and permanent housing for affected households. The UN and partners remain closely engaged with the Government to help bridge remaining gaps and ensure that no family is left behind.Cyclone Ditwah is a stark reminder of the urgent need to invest in disaster preparedness and community resilience as climate change drives more frequent and intense weather events across the region — so that when the next storm comes, communities are far better placed to weather it. As the focus shifts from emergency response to recovery, reconstruction and the rebuilding of lives and livelihoods, the UN remains committed to standing alongside the Government and people of Sri Lanka every step of the way.

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Press Release

05 May 2026

Sri Lanka and Australia Partner with FAO on AUD 2 Million Initiative to Restore Climate-Resilient Vegetable Livelihoods in Cyclone-Affected Highlands

5 May 2026, Colombo – The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Government of Australia, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marked the launch of a AUD 2 million (USD 1.4 million) recovery initiative to restore and transform vegetable production systems in the cyclone-affected districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.The agreement was formalized through the signing of the grant agreement by H.E. Matthew Duckworth, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, alongside the signing of the project document by Mr. D. P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary of Agriculture, and Mr. Sharan. The ceremony took place in the presence of Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in November 2025, caused widespread devastation across the country, severely disrupting agricultural production systems and livelihoods. The highland districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, key suppliers of vegetables such as beans, carrots, leeks, cabbage, tomato and potato, were among the hardest hit, with thousands of smallholder farmers losing crops, seed stocks, and productive assets.This 12-month initiative aims to restore and strengthen climate-resilient vegetable production systems, with a strong focus on empowering women farmers and supporting persons with disabilities. The project will directly benefit more than 2,400 smallholder farmers, through improved seed and seedling production systems, small machinery, training, and market linkages while indirectly supporting thousands more.“This initiative is an important step not only in restoring what was lost, but in building a more resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector,” said Minister Lal Kantha. “By strengthening local seed systems and supporting smallholder farmers, particularly women and vulnerable groups, we are investing in the long-term sustainability of Sri Lanka’s food systems.”“Australia stands alongside Sri Lanka in its ongoing recovery from Cyclone Ditwah,” said High Commissioner Duckworth. “Australia is a steadfast partner in the agriculture sector with its importance for food security, rural development and climate resilience. By focusing on climate smart practices, farmer-led solutions and inclusive economic opportunities, this project will deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to affected communities.Building back better with climate resilience and inclusionThe project will prioritize the restoration of farmer-led seed systems for beans and potatoes, support the re-establishment of both open-field and protected cultivation systems and women led seedling supply nurseries while empowering all farmers with Climate-Smart Good Agricultural Practices (CSGAP) with small scale machinery and input support.A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of six accessible and inclusive nurseries in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. These nurseries will serve as sustainable agri-based enterprises, producing high-quality vegetable seedlings while creating new income opportunities and strengthening local input supply chains.By combining recovery support with long-term resilience measures, the project will help stabilize vegetable production, improve household food security and nutrition, and reduce reliance on imported seeds.“This project represents an opportunity to build back better,” said Mr. Sharan. “Through climate-smart agriculture, strengthened seed systems and inclusive agri-entrepreneurship, we are supporting communities to recover while enhancing their resilience to future shocks.”The project is designed as both a recovery and climate adaptation intervention. It addresses structural vulnerabilities in seed supply, production systems, and market linkages, while enhancing the capacity of farmers and extension services to respond to future climate risks.The initiative aligns with national priorities on food security, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development, and will be implemented in close collaboration with national partners, including the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Department of Agriculture.

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Press Release

29 April 2026

FAO Delivers Fertilizer Support to Cyclone-Affected Paddy Farmers in Anuradhapura

29 April 2026, Anuradhapura – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a fertilizer support programme to assist smallholder paddy farmers in the Anuradhapura District whose fields were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, helping them recover production in time for the upcoming Yala cultivation season in Sri Lanka.Through a voucher scheme valued at USD 300,000, FAO will provide targeted fertilizer support to 3,489 smallholder paddy farmers, including 1,686 women farmers, whose fields were partially or fully damaged by the cyclone during the Maha cultivation season in Sri Lanka 2025/26.Eligible farmers will receive electronic vouchers (e-vouchers) to purchase essential fertilizers from Agrarian Service Centers. Farmers cultivating up to 0.5 acres will receive vouchers valued at USD 75 (LKR 23,625), while those cultivating more than 0.5 acres up to 1 acre will receive USD 90 (LKR 28,350). The vouchers can be used to obtain fertilizers including Urea fertilizer, Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), and Muriate of Potash (MOP).“This initiative demonstrates the strong collaboration between FAO and the Government of Sri Lanka to support farmers recovering from the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah,” said Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga, Commissioner-General of the Department of Agrarian Development. “By enabling timely access to essential fertilizers ahead of the Yala cultivation season, this support will help affected farmers restore paddy production and safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder farming communities in Anuradhapura.”Emphasizing the importance of timely agricultural recovery assistance for vulnerable farmers Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives said, “Through this fertilizer voucher programme, FAO aims to help farmers quickly return to cultivation while strengthening their production capacity and contributing to local food security. This also marks the first time FAO in Sri Lanka is implementing an online digital fertilizer voucher programme, expanding our emergency response tools to ensure farmers receive timely and flexible support.”Alongside fertilizer support, each beneficiary will also receive a free technical booklet on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in paddy cultivation for practical guidance on key stages of rice production. This knowledge resource is designed to help farmers improve productivity and sustainability while making more efficient use of agricultural inputs.By combining timely input support with practical technical guidance, FAO aims to help affected farmers recover from the cyclone’s impacts and sustain rice production in one of Sri Lanka’s key agricultural districts.

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