Corporate Sri Lanka called on to steady economy as disaster impact deepens

Business leaders in discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Defence Headquarters on the depth of the crisis and the economic risks ahead - Pic by President Media Division 

• President meets with CCC to outline depth of the crisis and economic risks ahead
• President stresses cooperation of business community essential in relief efforts and safeguarding the industrial sector from slipping into regression
• Issues raised by business leaders spanned tourism, airports, transport, manufacturing continuity, workforce mobility, and risks linked to prolonged power and water disruptions
• Business leaders assert restoration of key infrastructure critical to averting supply-chain paralysis

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

Sri Lanka’s private sector was called to the frontlines of the national recovery effort, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urging the country’s top business leaders to step in as the island reels from cascading disasters triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

With nearly a third of the island still without electricity or running water, rising water levels, and severe transport blockages caused by landslides and fallen trees, the President met the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) over the weekend at the Defence Headquarters to outline the extent of the crisis and the economic risks ahead. 

He stressed that the business community’s cooperation is “essential” both in relief efforts and in safeguarding the industrial sector from slipping into regression at a time of heightened vulnerability.

“We look to the country’s business community for support in restoring normalcy to public life,” said President Dissanayake.

During the discussion, senior business leaders representing diverse sectors flagged immediate concerns stemming from the worsening weather emergency. 

According to the President Media Division (PMD), issues raised spanned tourism, airports, transport, manufacturing continuity, workforce mobility, and risks linked to prolonged power and water disruptions. 

Business leaders stressed that rapid restoration of key infrastructure, from highways and bridges to utility networks, would be critical to averting supply-chain paralysis once rains subside.

The President, joined by senior officials including the Secretaries to the President, Finance and Defence, as well as the heads of the Tri-Forces and the Inspector General of Police, said restoring normalcy to public life and maintaining industrial momentum would require strong state–private sector collaboration. 

He noted that urgent steps were underway to ensure uninterrupted rescue operations, while parallel plans were being drawn up for phased restoration of electricity and drinking-water supplies.

Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which moved towards India but left the country confronting secondary disasters after days of relentless rainfall. 

Officials said large swathes of the country remain cut off, with evacuation orders in place in several districts as flood waters rise and risks of landslides intensify.

Meanwhile, the President also held a separate discussion with non-governmental organisations, calling for stringent coordination across all relief actors to ensure assistance reaches affected families efficiently and without duplication. 

He noted that the relief operation, driven with support from the Tri-Forces, is being carried out “without discrimination” and emphasised the need to preserve dignity and unity during recovery.