#Colombo

Sri Lanka’s economic loss from Cyclone Ditwah is estimated to be between USD 6 billion and 7 billion, which is roughly 3-5 per cent of the island nation’s GDP, an official said on Wednesday.

At least 479 people died so far, and 350 remain missing as Sri Lanka grapples with widespread flooding, landslides and severe infrastructure collapse, leaving several districts isolated and severely straining the country’s disaster-response capacity.

“Given that all 25 districts are affected, we estimate the cost would be USD 6-7 billion,” Prabath Chandrakirthi, Commissioner General of Essential Services, told reporters. Chandrakirthi said new legal provisions would be required to speed up post-disaster procedures.

India has continued its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operatio

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