The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to allocate funds for the reconstruction of additional places of worship damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
According to official estimates, 758 Buddhist temples, 272 Hindu religious sites, 199 Islamic places of worship, and 99 Christian religious places sustained varying degrees of damage as a result of the disaster.
Reconstruction work has already commenced at 178 religious sites through a fund of Rs. 800 million mobilised by the Buddhasasana Fund, the Central Cultural Fund, and the Anagarika Dharmapala Foundation. This amount includes the Rs. 200 million allocation approved under a Cabinet decision dated April 27, 2026.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to undertake reconstruction work at a further 90 religious places of worship from among the remaining affected sites.
The reconstruction programme will be implemented with an allocation of Rs. 129.69 million, subject to the provisions of Circular No. 01/2026 issued by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
