Despite the deaths of at least 56 people across the island after days of torrential rain triggered severe floods and landslides, Sri Lankan officials have been criticised for the lack of Tamil language warnings to residents.
Officials describe the impact of Cyclone Ditwah as one of the deadliest weather-related disasters in recent years. Yet even as Tamils in the North-East grapple with the impact of of the disaster, the Sri Lankan state has continued issuing several emergency communications exclusively in Sinhala or English, leaving Tamil-speaking regions without life-saving information.
Even official warnings shared by ministries and the DMC at a press conference held at the Defence Ministry were issued without translation, with Tamil completely excluded and only occasional updates available in English.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed that 21 people were killed overnight in the Badulla district when a landslide swept through homes in the central highlands. Dozens more deaths were reported across Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa and other districts affected by flooding, swollen reservoirs and blocked highways.
Cyclone Ditwah brushed past the island’s eastern coastline on Friday, bringing heavier rains and strong winds that intensified the devastation. Entire villages have been cut off, roads submerged and railway lines blocked by fallen trees and landslides.
