(Sri Lanka Brief/o2 December 2025) As Sri Lanka mourns the devastating toll of Cyclone Ditwah, a coalition of leading academics, legal experts, and parliamentarians has issued a powerful call for collective political leadership, transparency, and the protection of democratic rights in the country’s response to the crisis.
A Nation in Mourning
Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November, has left hundreds dead, hundreds more missing, and displaced thousands across the island. Communities are reeling from loss, destruction, and uncertainty, with many still searching for loved ones and struggling to access basic necessities.
The statement, released by the collective “Justice For All,” expresses deep sorrow for those affected and raises urgent questions about the country’s disaster preparedness. The signatories ask whether all possible measures were taken in advance, and whether existing frameworks—such as the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act and the National Council for Disaster Management—were effectively functioning when the cyclone struck.
Emergency Powers and Democratic Concerns
The government’s declaration of a nationwide state of emergency on 28 November, and the subsequent promulgation of emergency regulations, have sparked concern among civil society and opposition leaders. The statement notes that, while some opposition figures called for such measures, the government’s decision was made “without considering its larger implications.” The signatories urge the government to honour the President’s pledge that emergency regulations will be used solely for disaster response and not to suppress the human rights of the people.
They warn that Sri Lanka’s history of centralising power and relying on sweeping police powers during crises has often come at the expense of democracy, the rule of law, and justice. The statement calls for a careful balance between urgent rescue and recovery efforts and the need to build public trust, confidence, and inclusivity.
A Call for Political Unity and Oversight
The authors stress that the current crisis demands urgent action—not only for immediate relief and recovery, but also for long-term restitution, rebuilding, and reconstruction. They highlight Sri Lanka’s past experiences with natural disasters, conflict, and the pandemic, noting that while legal and policy reforms have been introduced, the scale of the current challenge requires “vision, leadership and collaboration.”
The statement calls on all members of parliament to fulfil their duty to provide oversight on the use of public funds during this time and to act as an effective check on the Executive. It also urges all political parties and actors to refrain from politicising the tragedy for partisan gain, and instead to unite in the national interest.
“Response both in the short and long term must be equitable, conflict sensitive and inclusive,” the statement reads. “We urge the government and all political parties to come together without further delay to deliberate and agree upon measures that need to be taken in the interest of all people in the country.”
Their collective message is clear: Sri Lanka’s response to Cyclone Ditwah must be grounded in accountability, inclusivity, and respect for human rights. The crisis, they argue, is not only a test of the country’s disaster management systems, but also of its commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, the statement’s call for unity and oversight resonates widely. With the scale of devastation still unfolding, Sri Lanka faces a pivotal moment—one that will shape not only its immediate recovery, but also the future of its democracy.
Source:
“THE NEED FOR COLLECTIVE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE WAKE OF CYCLONE DITWAH,” Justice For All, 2 December 2025. Signed by Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC, Eran Wickramaratne, A M Faaiz, M.A Sumanthiran PC, Saliya Peiris PC, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam MP, Bhavani Fonseka, Ermiza Tegal, Nadishani Perera, Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah, Ravinthran Niloshan, and Benislos Thushan.
Full statement: J4A STATEMENT 02.12.2025 -English