Parliament extends deadline for Cyclone Ditwah probe committee

Parliament today (11) approved an extension of the deadline granted to the Special Parliamentary Committee appointed to study the lack of preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah.

The committee received an extension until September 19 to present its report, shifting the original deadline set by Parliament on January 21, 2026. Under the initial mandate, the committee faced a requirement to submit its findings within three months of its first meeting, which scheduled the report for June 19. Parliament gave approval to push this deadline to September 19, 2026.

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa chairs the committee appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah last year. A group of opposition members moved a motion on January 21 to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to study the lack of preparedness, report to Parliament, and submit proposals and recommendations.

According to the motion, the loss of lives, damage to property, and damage to the people caused by Cyclone Ditwah, considered the worst tragedy in the history of Sri Lanka, remain unassessed, mandating the Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the preparedness and corresponding events. The Speaker appointed the Chair and Members of the Select Committee in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 101 of Parliament.