Sri Lanka launches digital relief systems for Cyclone Ditwah victims

Colombo, May 18 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka on Monday launched two new digital platforms aimed at improving disaster relief services for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, with support from the Government of Norway, UNICEF Sri Lanka, and UN Volunteers.

The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) under the Ministry of Defence officially introduced the digital Compensation Management System and the Community Inquiry Mechanism during a ceremony held at the BMICH in Colombo. The event was attended by Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara.

According to the NDRSC, the digitized Compensation Management System is designed to simplify the compensation process for disaster-affected families by replacing lengthy manual procedures with a streamlined online system. Families impacted by Cyclone Ditwah will now be able to submit compensation claims digitally through their Grama Niladhari officers, reducing travel and wait times while improving efficiency and accessibility.

Authorities said the initiative would help ease the administrative burden on both government officials and affected communities, many of whom suffered losses of family members, homes, and livelihoods during the cyclone.

The Community Inquiry Mechanism, which was also launched alongside the compensation platform, will allow affected residents to directly submit inquiries related to disaster relief, compensation payments, rehabilitation, and resettlement services.

Under the new system, inquiries can be submitted through a QR code or by calling the dedicated hotline 0716 807 807, which operates on weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Each inquiry will be reviewed and referred to the relevant NDRSC officers for follow-up action, while individuals will receive a unique reference number to track the progress of their requests.

Senior Assistant Secretary of the NDRSC, Namal Liyanage, said the digital systems mark a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s disaster response framework.

“In a crisis, immediate response is crucial. These digitized systems transform our ability to act quickly, providing us with the precise tools needed to meet the urgent needs of our people,” he said, adding that the initiative sets a new benchmark for transparency and efficiency in disaster assistance.

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Emma Brigham said that the systems would ensure disaster-affected families receive timely, fair, and people-centered support while improving accountability and information sharing during emergency situations.

Meanwhile, UN Volunteers Sri Lanka Country Coordinator Sharmalee Jayasinghe highlighted the contribution of 34 UN Volunteers, including ICT specialists and community volunteers, in developing and implementing the platforms.

Officials noted that the initiative aligns with the Government’s broader digitalization agenda and is expected to strengthen public service delivery and disaster response mechanisms across the country.