Dr. Murali Vallipuranathan
The recent declaration of a National Emergency following the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah, which tragically claimed around 160 lives, has raised a critical question: Was this a necessary and proportionate response to a natural disaster, or does it signify a broader lack of experience in crisis governance? A critical examination of Sri Lanka’s disaster history suggests the latter.
A Disproportionate Declaration
Sri Lanka is no stranger to catastrophic natural events. Yet, the official response to Ditwah stands in stark contrast to previous, more severe natural calamities.
Consider the 2017 floods and landslides, triggered by Cyclone Mora, which resulted in a confirmed death toll of 224 lives. Similarly, the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami caused approximately 35,000 fatalities in Sri Lanka. In both these tragic instances, the government did not declare a “National Emergency.” Instead, they relied on a “National Disaster Situation” or similar declarations, appropriate for large-scale relief and recovery efforts.
Why, then, was the more powerful legal tool of a National Emergency—a declaration usually reserved for the most profound civil and security threats—deployed for an event with a comparatively lower casualty count? The fact that even the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed nearly 17,000 lives, was managed with police curfews under the Quarantine Ordinance, and not a full National Emergency, deepens this paradox.
Emergency Powers: Security vs. Storms
Historically, the National Emergency declaration in Sri Lanka has been synonymous with safeguarding law and order and preventing civil unrest.
Recent triggers for this declaration include:
* The July 2022 economic crisis, where security forces were needed to quell nationwide protests and maintain order.
* The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, where the threat of escalated terrorism and communal violence was imminent.
* The March 2018 communal violence in Kandy, which required swift security mobilization to prevent the spread of riots.
In these situations, the declaration was essential to activate the military, impose curfews, and assume special powers to control a volatile social or political situation. A cyclone, by nature, is a matter of rescue, relief, and rebuilding. The decision to treat a weather event like an insurrection suggests a fundamental misunderstanding, or perhaps a political misuse, of the emergency mechanism.
Inexperience and Media Exaggeration
The use of a National Emergency for a disaster that is comparatively less serious than previous natural catastrophes points towards potential inexperience of the present government in handling disaster situations. It implies that they felt the need to invoke the maximum possible executive power simply to manage the logistics of a storm, a task that should fall under the purview of established disaster management agencies and civil administration, without the blanket imposition of emergency rule.
Furthermore, the declaration was amplified by significant media hype. Sensationalized reporting, including the outright blatant lie that Cyclone Ditwah was the “second major disaster after the tsunami,” not only ignores the more damaging 2017 floods but also distorts the true scale of the crisis. Such exaggeration can create unnecessary panic, distract from the real needs of the affected communities, and ultimately dilute the gravity of genuine national emergencies.
The Ditwah disaster exposed not just vulnerability to nature, but a disjointed and disproportionate response from the highest level of government, overshadowed by sensationalized reporting. The focus must now shift from political optics to establishing clear, measured, and appropriate protocols for future natural disasters.
*Dr. Murali Vallipuranathan is a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Jaffna, Peradeniya, and Colombo, a Senior Specialist of the Ministry of Health, and a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. The opinions expressed in this article are claimed by the author with social responsibility, aimed at improving disaster management in Sri Lanka, and do not in any way reflect his official positions.
nimal fernando / November 30, 2025
I truly believe AKD is to be blamed for Cyclone Ditwah.
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I can’t find any in the mainstream media ………. but if I look hard enough can find obscure YT clips that hold AKD as the true culprit ……… that only the highly intelligent Lankan Rational Thinkers are sure to understand.
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As his esteemed learned defence lawyer said …… Ranil, by going to Wolverhampton, made valuable contacts to help the nation in times of trouble.
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I’ve no doubt in my rational-thinker mind ……. if Ranil was still in power he has enough invaluable contacts with nature to talk it out of unleashing this disaster on us.
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There is only one man to protect us from all disasters.
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Bring him back.
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Alls forgiven!
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A Day in the Mind of a Lankan Rational Thinker.
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Native Vedda / November 30, 2025
nimal fernando
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“I truly believe AKD is to be blamed for Cyclone Ditwah”
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I agree with you.
It is 2600 years too late.
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During his first visit to the island, the Buddha the awakened one used his psychic powers to create an intense heat and light, which terrified the resident Yakkhas (ogres/demons). He offered them the island of Giridipa (a mythical island) as a new home, which he brought close to Lanka temporarily…………………… Mahawamsa.
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Now AKD is trying his best to cleanse this island the tools available to him are law and order. The present-day Yakkhas (ogres/demons) are fighting it with tooth and nail, fist up their a** and …. fake news.
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I blame AKD for too late too little.
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nimal fernando / November 30, 2025
I wouldn’t give a can of baked beans …….. but know people who want to help ……. does anyone know the best place to send money to? Thanks.
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Sorry to say this ……… they don’t want their money to be stolen like Mahind did with tsunami funds …….. or distributed among crooked pols like Ranil did.
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People want their contributions to reach the truly needy.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
Nimal / Native , 😅😅
Recent anti SB activities of AKD is to be blamed for recent disasters.
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Native Vedda / December 1, 2025
chiv
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Have you seen Namal baby and his Blue Brigade recently?
Perhaps his PR people must have hidden him somewhere in the remotest area to prevent him saying stupid things in public, which could bring him and his family disaster (than Ditwah to the country).
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kp92 / November 30, 2025
We haven’t even counted the dead yet and already we have an opinion piece on how this is a less serious situation than 2017. What he bases this on? No one knows. The fact that this is the first time every single district has been affected? Irrelevant. The fact that we’re in a far more precarious situation financially than in 2017? Sideshow. Instead, we’re at the stage where the flood waters haven’t even finished doing their job, but we’re now (and this is the most surreal part of this) COMPARING NATURAL DISASTERS. That’s where we are now- not “what are we going to do to help”, now “what is the total death toll”, no. It’s the English language, “educated man’s” version of “this happened because of a budu pilime”. From one doctorate holder to another: return the degree.
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Jit / November 30, 2025
This is the problem in this country!! You are so pathetic Murali! Dont drop to such low levels even holding a doctorate!! What is critical and important in this hour is, how seriously the government involved into this, their empathy, concern and actions. Not the tools they use!! Hide your cheap politics until next election time – not during this national disaster!!
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RBH59 / November 30, 2025
Sudden incidentS such as stones Falling in Kadugannawa, a bus plunging into a river, or unexpected floods are natural occurrences that can happen anywher…..just like the earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions seen in Indonesia or Thailand. These are not signs of government weakness; they are natural disasters…… Therefore, saying that the declaration of a National Emergency shows weak or inexperienced crisis management is not entirely fair. Some events are simply unavoidable acts of nature, not failures in governancE. Unforeseen situations happen even in superpower countries like the United States, where forest fires, cyclones…. and unexpected disasters have caused many deaths. This shows that natural calamities can strike anywhere and are not always due to government weaknesS
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leelagemalli / November 30, 2025
RBH59/November 30, 2025
What matters is that the ruling government be proactive and well-prepared for such disasters, and the Japanese, among many others, are the most prepared long before such warnings are issued.
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That we should have learned, especially since Sri Lanka is governed now by experts, as they proudly claim.
However, critics say the opposite about the incumbent president and premier’s leadership and performance.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlK2t01r0zk&t=532s
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Even though the government has more than a two-thirds majority in parliament, it has not implemented any significant and tangible agreements or pacts in the last year. That demonstrates that they are no better than the previous government, but rather significantly inferior in terms of their ability to govern this country.
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RBH59 / December 1, 2025
The Government keeps repeating thaT NPP they not a magician and that fixing the country is not like “taking a Panadol and the headache will disappear overnight.”
But let us be honest: who created the headache Bankrupt having good exprience MPs
Within years , 76 taking decisions and rulings made by the same administration pushed the country deeper into bankruptcy, not out of it. The NPP has clearly said that solving a crisis Bankrupt country will take five years, and that is a realistic timeline.
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Naman / November 30, 2025
I will not think that the GoSL made a big mistake by declaring the NationalEmergency instead of a Natural Emergency situation. The Governments even after the END OF THE CIVIL WAR kept avery HUGH defence force that takes big part of our BUDGET. We need to use THEM for any kind of DISASTER that affects our country. We do NEED their help and restoring the rail road and other transport systems. Let us concentrate on the work we need to do nowto put the country back on tract.
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leelagemalli / November 30, 2025
not to nigerian govt, but to Indian govt. … that was a typo error.. apologies.
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leelagemalli / November 30, 2025
I believe the Sri Lankan government should issue a big thank you note to the Indian government. They have now contacted the former FM to inquire about Sri Lanka’s current situation.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83OAWPHM7uw
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This appears to indicate that they are aware that the current government in Sri Lanka is not doing its part in terms of foreign relations in a timely manner. Actually, large amounts of gratuity should be sent to the Nigerian government while all other countries remain silent about their foreign aid. The Chinese and others remain unanswered about Sri Lanka’s disaster situation, while people in Sri Lanka are left in the dark as to how they will save their livelihoods, which have been completely devastated by the disaster floods.
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Ajith / November 30, 2025
“Was this a necessary and proportionate response to a natural disaster, or does it signify a broader lack of experience in crisis governance? “
Nothing.We should not isolate this natural disaster alone. We should also the disaster caused to this country by rulers of the country since 1948. Unfortunately, the racism and Sinhalese Buddhist terrorism caused more damage to this country for decades. The greedy of power and the wrong influence of Sinhalese Buddhist terrorism did the real damage to this country and so far Sri Lanka did not have a brave leader who can change the country for a peaceful and wealthier nation. Even NPP are not prepared to make brave challenges to remove Sinhalese Buddhism terrorism even after the people are prepared to get rid racism and Sinhalese Buddhist terrorism. Until the country produce a leader who is brave enough to get rid racism and Sinhalese Buddhist terrorism this country have to continue destructions.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
Ajith , this is a friendly advise.
What happened is a National disaster.
Not a community one.
People of all religions, race, color, creed are affected by such man made disasters
What I ment by my previous comment
Not our Rogue MONKS but Ditwah decideds statue politics.
I was pointing out their ignorance and stupidity.
not the collective loss of lives, and human suffering.
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Ajith / December 1, 2025
Chiv,Cicero,
Thanks for your advise. I know very well that it is a national disaster and all communities are affected by this disaster and my comments may not appropriate at this juncture. It is a difficult time for the country and people, particularly those who lost their lives and those who suffer for long due to this disaster.
But once, the water goes down and people come back to normal politicians (Government and Oppositions) and and others will going to start again the usual politics of power.
I supported NPP during the presidential election because I strongly believed all other parties or leaders of the past and Fake Buddhists leaders misused the Buddhism and power which caused more damage to this country, economy, environment, peace and unity.
But, I still have some concerns about whether NPP understands fully the impact of Fake Buddhism to this country. Unless, NPP takes brave decisions, this country will not be saved forever.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
Ajith, 🙏 .
It ain’t easy for many
to admit to their mistakes.
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chiv / December 2, 2025
Ajith, I agree with you and OC on this.
NO PARTY including NPP / JVP will dare to take action against Rabid Monks.
It’s their SB vote bank.
Regardless of progress made, these rogues will continue destroying the nation.
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SebastianSR / December 2, 2025
Was it Sinhalese Buddhist terrorism that destroyed the Tamil people in a 30-year war of gradual attrition where we were pitted against an 80% majority ?
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Cicero / November 30, 2025
Absolutely inappropriate and unnecessary comment. What was its purpose? The government sought to mobilise all it could to avert a disaster.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
On a serious note, do any believe , a lot of these ( losses ) could have been prevented,
if not for man made environmental / ecological destruction, piled upon nature’s fury.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
According to UN (OCHA – relief coordination office )
10 Lach people across all 25 districts are affected with 212 deaths and 218 missing.
More than 2 Lach people from more than 51,000 families are sheltering in 2000 govt run centers.
This is considered one of the worst flooding Lanka has seen since early 2000.
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SJ / December 2, 2025
Nature’s fury is not new. We have had stronger winds lasting longer and heavier rains too in the past.
The number and scale of earth slips and flooding would have been far less if people were more alert to the risks involved.
I have seen buildings on steep hill slopes during a visit to S Korea. The slopes were protected by netting on top of grass and had weep holes. The water that flowed was not muddy at all.
What do we see here?
Thoughtless construction that obstructs water flow through the ground has been the cause of much urban flooding.
Sri Lanka is not unique in that respect. India has seen worse some years ago.
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Cicero / December 1, 2025
My comment related to the article not to Ajith
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nimal fernando / December 1, 2025
The government was handed a bankrupt country …….. all their planning and efforts in the year they are in office has gone to redeem the country’s buggered finances/economy.
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Good ol’ Murali comes along with his doctorate and says instead the government should have spent the year planning for a 1000-year flood that may come or not.
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Like someone told one of my bosses a long time ago …… “Your doctorate is not worth the paper it’s written on.”
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Sure, you’re not the one who took 800 wickets …….. look what not wasting time on a doctorate did to him!
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Professional Responsibility vs Personal Opinion
The author, a medical doctor employed by the Ministry of Health and affiliated with several universities, is a government servant. This role carries a duty to uphold and implement government policies diligently, regardless of personal preferences. While this does not strip away the right to express personal views, such opinions should be informed and responsible.
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Commenting on disaster management without expertise or adequate knowledge—especially before the impact has been assessed—raises concerns. Ranking disasters based solely on mortality rates is simplistic and misleading. It reflects a troubling trend where individuals assume expertise in areas far removed from their professional domain.
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Presidential Powers During Crises
Under the Public Security Ordinance (PSO), No. 25 of 1947 (as amended), the President of Sri Lanka is empowered to declare a state of emergency during national crises, including natural disasters. A “crisis” does not merely mean civil unrest; it encompasses situations where the nation faces severe threats requiring urgent action.
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Invoking emergency powers signals that the President takes the situation seriously and prioritizes national stability. Importantly, there is no evidence of misuse of these powers in the current context. Therefore, public outcry over hypothetical abuses appears misplaced.
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Systemic Gaps in Disaster Preparedness
While the President’s actions may be justified, the government’s and local authorities’ readiness to manage emergencies remains a systemic weakness. Key areas needing improvement include:
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–Digital Alert & Monitoring Systems: Implement GPS-based emergency push notifications and satellite connectivity to ensure guranteed message delivery even during GSM or power failures. Some individual volunteraily proivded this live data from thier own initiative ( https://weather.hackandbuild.dev/) should have been part of DMC
– Civil Defense Readiness: Maintain trained forces to evacuate populations from high-risk zones before disaster strikes. and on standy to help people on orange zone to help if required
– Periodic Testing: Regular drills to confirm systems are fit for purpose.
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Logistical and Economic Preparedness
Preparedness must extend beyond immediate response:
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–Essential Supplies: Stockpile dry rations, medicines, and temporary shelters to prevent disease outbreaks.
–Economic Recovery: Establish a dedicated contingency fund to address long-term impacts such as crop destruction and food shortages.
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Learning from Oversight
The government’s shortcomings in disaster readiness cannot be ignored, but neither should they be condemned without context. Importantly, authorities acted promptly to seek assistance from neighboring countries—a commendable move that reflects pragmatic leadership.
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Dayan / December 1, 2025
Conclusion
The author’s critique lacks depth and expertise, relying on incomplete information. Responsible journalism demands accuracy, context, and fairness—qualities absent in this commentary. Constructive criticism should aim to improve systems, not sensationalize issues.
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Champa / December 1, 2025
It is very sad that floods and landslides have claimed the lives of 334 people while 400 people are still missing.
The images of helpless flood victims reminded me of late UNP Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma, the only politician in Sri Lanka who genuinely cared about people.
We salute our beloved military who are always the first responders to natural disasters. They risk their own lives in search, evacuation and rescue operations conducted in the most dangerous areas of landslides, floods and heavy rain. It is very sad that one pilot has lost his life while engaged in a helicopter rescue mission to save flood victims.
In a strange kind of way, recent floods and landslides have affected over 1.3 million people in all 25 districts in Sri Lanka.
Does the government have any plan to help flood victims? Or are they still waiting for donations without shame? Recently, the government said they saved billions of rupees. They can utilize that money for flood relief measures. Also, the billions of rupees allocated to purchase new vehicles for politicians can also be diverted to the flood relief fund. The public will make donations as they have done in the past.
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RBH59 / December 1, 2025
Even Countries with long experience and advanced warning systems still face tragic losses…. Japan, despite having one of the most sophisticated cyclone.. Tsunami, and earthquake preparedness systems in the world, continues to experience casualties when major disasters strike. Indonesia,,,, with its frequent volcanic eruptions and powerful earthquakes, also suffers significant loss of life despite decades of experience and constant monitoring…..this proves a crucial point: no nation, no matter how advanced, wealthy, or experienced, can fully prevent the impact of natural disasters. What truly matters is how quickly and effectively a government prepares, responds, and protects its people,,,, because even the best systems cannot save lives if timely action is Not taken.
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Lionel Bopage / December 1, 2025
By 8.30 pm yesterday, the assessment by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Sri Lanka was at least 334 people confirmed dead and 370 others missing. The disaster has affected 1,118,929 people from 309,607 families across the country. It will take at least a few more days to assess the full impact of the disaster. Even though the damage appears less in the south, this is one of the worst disasters the island has ever experienced because it has impacted the entire country. The author seems to have made some hasty judgments. Nevertheless, this disaster has shown us that we should have been better prepared. Natural disasters can’t be stopped, but their effects can be lessened. Presently, the best we can do is look out for each other, share what we have, and remember that we are stronger together.
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chiv / December 1, 2025
Lionel, Thanks for updating.
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old codger / December 1, 2025
Lionel,
The President in his speech yesterday described the cyclone as “the worst disaster in the nation’s history “. With around 300 deaths, it doesn’t even come close to the Tsunami with 30000. AKD should get his speech writers updated.
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leelagemalli / December 1, 2025
OC;
OC,
Their grand deceptions are becoming clear to the same nation today.
1) He may have underestimated the 2004 tsunami.
2) The same men who can’t tell the difference between a million and a billion boasted about receiving 1-2 billion USD per month once they formed their government. For the past 14 months, they have not received even $25,000 in payments.
3) Exaggeration of AKD deyyo knows no bounds. How can he continue to lie like this?
4) I hope the Kadamandiya mobs in Unawatuna do not physically attack our NPP promoter today.
This is good old Sri Lanka, where poisonous reptiles are disguised. Alas, may the flood victims be blessed with all strength.
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Leonard Jayawardena / December 2, 2025
Author: “A cyclone, by nature, is a matter of rescue, relief, and rebuilding. The decision to treat a weather event like an insurrection suggests a fundamental misunderstanding, or perhaps a political misuse, of the emergency mechanism.”
A state of emergency is declared in Sri Lanka under the Public Security Ordinance, whose purpose is to “provide for the enactment of emergency regulations or the adoption of other measures in the interests of the public security and the preservation of public order and for the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.”
Therefore the declaration of a state of emergency cannot be limited to an insurrection situation. On March 1, 2025, the Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in California due to catastrophic wildfire risks created by forest conditions across the state.
I think issuing orders to the police and the forces to shoot on sight anyone found looting the houses abandoned by their owners due to the floods would have been a good use of the emergency laws.
The declaration of an emergency also had opposition support and indeed they were calling for it.
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asoka1958 / December 2, 2025
I am reading in total disbelief that some of the readers appear to blame AKD government at this hours.
The gent from Korea mentioned Korea has done so many good things against natural disaster..
Well no one. How many natural disaster does SL have control SL annually.
Two: SL is coming out of a bankruptcy with an empty treasury.. AKD has so many priorities before focusing on mass scale disaster management infrastructure.
I am sure some readers comment based on their hatred to SL and hope AKD fails. Some others appear to be pundits on Givernance and disaster management.
I invite all those to send some money to the country that have you free education at this hour rather than talking nonsense about things you do t know! This goes to the author as well.
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SJ / December 2, 2025
I would have thought that early warnings about strong winds and heavy rain are the responsibility of the Met Department and other departments that have responsibility to warn people about potential risks.
There is no bad government policy decision involved in early warning.
The failure if at all is that of responsible officials whose lethargy led to avoidable losses.
As for the damage caused by wind, important measures have been recommended in building construction and the use of mangroves to ameliorate the force of wind. Reckless building activity on the hills is to blame for earth slips and unplanned construction elsewhere has harmed the ability of the soil, waterways and wetlands to minimise flooding.
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The government could be justifiably blamed for any identified indifference in responding to the disaster.
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LankaScot / December 3, 2025
Hello SJ,
We are quite high up between Gampola and Gelioya and suffered the very high winds and driving constant rain for at least 5 days. In parts of Scotland such weather is common in the Winter time, however the amount of Rain that fell here in such a short time was overwhelming. Being high up and having good drainage meant that we were not flooded
I chose the location and orientation of our house after ensuring the composition and stability of the bedrock on which it was sited. I also built a 10 ft high retaining wall at the only side of the house that could possibly be liable to some slippage.
I can vouch that no-one here had any pre-warning of severe consequences due to the weather. 2 nights ago we were awakened at around 1 am by relatives saying that Kotmale Dam had burst and massive flooding was on its way. I tried to explain that we were way above any possible level that the Mahawelli Ganga could reach and asked them how they knew. Apparently Social Media was responsible. My wife phoned her son in Veyangoda who explained that more gates had been opened.
Best regards
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Mallaiyuran / December 3, 2025
“The use of a National Emergency for a disaster that is comparatively less serious than previous natural catastrophes points towards potential inexperience of the present government. ” This verdict on sufferers pain, author’s shameless lie!
If the author had anything to do in a disaster like that, could have walked to fields and cut the bull walks to let the unwanted water out of the fields. I really have no idea why these CT PhDs fall into these types of illuminating debates. It was, again and again explained, to scoop up all the resources and authorities to concentrate on the rescue operation. It was again and again said that EP has the power to declare emergencies, where it is appropriate. I might have admired it if the guy had taken his issues to the court and challenged them there, instead of fooling the already weak CT pundits. If it has been declared by Junius Richards, these guys will take it easy for another two generations. Although this government has done its best, best means, never ever has any other governments done in the independent Chinese province, Langkang, but serious problems are pointed out. Because of lack of security, in Jaffna, during the heavy rain, six criminals got together, had a planning meeting and orchestrated a sword wielding murder and wasted even the hospital staff’s time in very need of time.
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Mallaiyuran / December 3, 2025
Three different police stations’ SIs went to provide guard, during the heavy rain, to those who were entering Thaiyiddy illegal temple, because the protestors had found out the illegal path (which) was constructed for these criminals from South by the police. Police used these illegal paths; these were not allowed to northern residents. Come on, this type of Buddha prayer was needed for those Southern devotees while the government was repeatedly announcing the people to not leave home for unwanted entertainment trips. There were farmers in some villages near Killinchy who had gone to guarding fields but did not return home before the rain started. That was it, there were no cellphones, no functioning towers, nobody knew where those people were in the world. After two or three days, local villagers ventured into those flood jungles searching for them and brought them back home. There was no one there, it seems to connect the northern towns’ police with these farmers lost them in the makeshift swimming pools. Dare, there police stations police gathered to protect those southern devotees, apparently came only after the rain started, to give hand to the police and monks. The government is trying to do right but unfortunately, most of the government employees are from the Sir Ma O era, similar to Sadampi. It is difficult to teach an old dog a trick that is as new as 15 months.
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