Sri Lanka's government ended a state of emergency on Wednesday that was imposed after a cyclone killed 643 people eight months ago, Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced.
Emergency Powers Revoked After Eight Months
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared the state of emergency shortly after Cyclone Ditwah struck in November 2025, bringing heavy rain and strong winds across the island. The extraordinary powers allowed the deployment of troops for relief operations and were extended monthly by parliament.
“From now on, there will be no state of emergency in the country,” Jayatissa told reporters in Colombo.
Cyclone Ditwah: Worst Disaster in Two Decades
The cyclone caused infrastructure damage estimated at $4.1 billion. Security forces conducted search-and-rescue operations, cleared highways and railways, and worked to restore normalcy. The emergency laws also permitted the state to acquire devastated properties to prevent looting and squatting.
However, the main opposition bloc accused the government of using the emergency laws to crack down on political dissent, a charge the government denies.
Economic Recovery Amid Natural Disaster
The cyclone hit as Sri Lanka was recovering from its worst economic crisis in 2022. Colombo secured a $2.9 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund to help stabilize the economy. Inflation dropped to 6.8 percent last month, compared to 69.8 percent in September 2022, according to official figures.
“The government has taken steps to ensure the economy is on a recovery path,” Jayatissa added, citing the inflation decline and IMF support.
