Cabinet nod to rebuild more religious sites damaged by Ditwah

Colombo, June 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Cabinet of Ministers has approved funding to reconstruct an additional 90 places of worship damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, expanding ongoing efforts to restore religious sites affected by the disaster.

Official estimates show that 1,328 religious institutions sustained varying degrees of damage, including 758 Buddhist temples, 272 Hindu kovils, 199 mosques, and 99 churches.

Reconstruction work has already commenced at 178 religious sites through a Rs. 800 million fund mobilised by the Buddhasasana Fund, the Central Cultural Fund, and the Anagarika Dharmapala Foundation. 

The allocation includes Rs. 200 million approved under a Cabinet decision on April 27, 2026.

The latest approval was granted following a proposal submitted by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to undertake restoration work at a further 90 places of worship from among the remaining affected sites.