The Voice of the Plantation People expresses its deepest sorrow and grave concern over the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which has devastated communities all over Sri Lanka. According to the latest report from the Disaster Management Center (DMC), the death toll has tragically climbed to 410, with 336 people still missing. The scale of devastation is overwhelming — 1,466,615 people across 25 districts have been affected.
The tragedy has hit the central highlands especially hard: in the district of Kandy District there are 88 reported deaths and 150 missing persons, while Nuwara Eliya District has endured 75 fatalities and 62 missing individuals. Coastal and northern districts — including Puttalam District, Mannar District, and Gampaha District — have also suffered severe destruction and upheaval.
In total, the disaster has impacted 407,594 families. Of these, 20,271 homes have been completely destroyed, and 64,483 homes partially damaged. Thousands have been displaced — currently 233,015 people are housed in safety centers, awaiting basic necessities and shelter.
Relief efforts are underway, but the scale of the disaster demands a coordinated, large-scale response. We are deeply concerned about the mounting risks: with floodwaters stagnating, there is a heightened threat of water-borne diseases, inadequate sanitation, and further hardship — particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities, including Malaiyaha Tamils, plantation workers, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
In this dire moment, we urgently call on all relevant authorities, humanitarian organizations, local governments, and civil society:
To escalate rescue, search and relief operations immediately, ensuring that they reach every affected area — especially remote and marginalized communities.
To provide emergency shelter, safe drinking water, food, medical aid, sanitation facilities, and psychosocial support without delay.
To ensure fair and transparent distribution of aid, with special attention to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
To launch a thorough assessment of damage, and begin plans for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and long-term support for displaced families.
To implement preventive measures and public-health interventions to avert outbreaks of disease, and safeguard community health and safety.
As VOPP, we stand committed to contributing to coordination, support and advocacy. We offer solidarity to all affected families across Sri Lanka, and pledge to do our part to help ensure that no community — especially those historically marginalized — is left behind in this recovery process.
We call on every citizen to stand together with compassion, resilience, and collective responsibility in this hour of national crisis.
