Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, has initiated steps to renovate schools that can be restored in the short term and to relocate schools situated in high-risk areas to safer locations. These measures follow an assessment of educational institutions affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on December 24 during an inspection visit to Meegahakiwula National School in the Badulla District, which sustained damage due to the cyclone.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya also inspected a preschool that had been operating at the Ketawatta Yodha Ulpatha Community Hall. The preschool was completely destroyed after a tree fell due to strong winds. She instructed relevant officials to take immediate steps to restart the preschool at a safe location. Emphasizing the importance of supporting early childhood educators, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to ensure proper payment of allowances to preschool teachers. She further directed authorities to identify preschools unable to operate due to disaster-related damage and to continue providing allowances to affected teachers.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited the Passara Yuri Tamil Primary School, which suffered severe damage as a result of a landslide triggered by the cyclone.
The inspection tour was attended by Diyathalawa Dheerananda Thero, Uva Province Governor Kapila Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Samantha Vidyarathna, Uva Provincial Chief Secretary Anusha Gokula, Principal of Meegahakiwula National School H.W.K.A. Padmakumara, Principal of Passara Yuri Tamil Primary School Ms. K. Indumathi, along with state officials, teachers, parents, and members of the local community.
