Sri Lanka has begun a large-scale effort to repair hundreds of religious sites, Buddhist temples, mosques, and churches, left damaged by the recent cyclone that claimed at least 627 lives and affected nearly two million people.
At a press briefing in Colombo on December 8, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister for Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, announced that the government will provide 25,000 rupees (about US$83) to each affected place of worship.
According to Senevi, the storm caused destruction to 379 Buddhist shrines, 165 temples, 63 Christian churches, and 157 mosques. The grant is meant to support initial cleanup efforts at both fully and partially damaged sites, he said.
The cyclone—considered one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history, left widespread destruction across the country, damaging thousands of homes along with numerous religious structures.
Christian communities, including both Catholic and Protestant groups, have appealed to the government for assistance as they begin repairs.
Opposition lawmaker Lakshman Namal Rajapaksa, son of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration to prioritize restoring all affected places of worship.
“The government needs to carry out a proper assessment and begin restoration work without delay,” he told reporters.
Local residents are already attempting to rebuild what they can. In Northern Province, Kokkilai resident Anton Fernando said parishioners have started repairing their damaged church with guidance from a local Oblate priest. “Even though our church floor is ruined, we don’t want to interrupt our religious services,” he told UCA News.
In Western Province, schoolteacher Niranjala Ruwani said Catholics in Kaluwarippuwa have been helping clean St. Anthony’s Church in Muruthana, which was left coated in thick mud after floodwaters rose more than a meter and a half.
She noted that churches and temples played a vital role during the disaster, offering shelter, food, and care to survivors.
“Because these places supported so many families during the floods, the government should urgently prioritize repairing them,” she said.
The government estimates that the overall recovery cost from the cyclone will be around US$7 billion.
Adapted from UCA News.
