Deaths in Sri Lanka from landslides and flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah pass 600

6 Dec 2025 sri lanka

About 2 million people - or nearly one in ten in Sri Lanka - have been impacted by the cyclone, with 114,000 people living in temporary shelters after nearly 74,000 homes were damaged, according to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre

 

COLOMBO, 6 December 2025 - About 2 million people - or nearly one in ten in Sri Lanka - have been impacted by the cyclone, with 114,000 people living in temporary shelters after nearly 74,000 homes were damaged, according to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre [1].

Julian Chellappah, Country Director, Save the Children Sri Lanka said:

“This is Sri Lanka’s worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami - and children are the most impacted. Cyclone Ditwah has caused massive destruction, but we cannot allow it to destroy children’s futures.

“Our priority is to support children now, and in the months ahead, to ensure they do not miss out on crucial days of learning or suffer mental health consequences from experiencing such terror.

“The true scale of this crisis is likely to grow as roads are cleared, and more areas are reached. Families who have lost their homes and livelihoods will need sustained support to recover and rebuild their lives.

“Donors must act now to ensure that children are protected from both the immediate and longer-term impacts of this disaster. The challenges ahead are monumental.”

Save the Children in Sri Lanka is working through partners to enable a locally led response to Cyclone Ditwah.

ENDS

Buddhini Withana, Child Protection advisor, Save the Children Sri Lanka and Rachel Thompson, Asia Media Manager are in Colombo and available for interviews.

References:

[1]https://www.dmc.gov.lk/images/dmcreports/Situation_Summary_Report_at_1200hrs_on_2025__1765004157.pdf

For interview requests and further information:

Rachel Thompson, Media Manager, Asia:  rachel.thompson@savethechildren.org

Our media out of hours (BST) contact is media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44(0)7831 650409  

Please also check our X account @Save_GlobalNews for news alerts, quotes, statements, and location Vlogs.  

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