BADULLA, Dec 29: The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has stepped up its role in post-cyclone recovery efforts by supporting the rehabilitation of schools and pre-schools damaged by Cyclone Ditwah in the Badulla and Passara education zones.
In a statement, the SLN said its personnel are providing technical expertise and labour for renovation work at several affected institutions.
These include Bibilegama Maha Vidyalaya in Badulla, Maussagolla Maha Vidyalaya, Wellagolla Maha Vidyalaya, Al Abim Vidyalaya, Sri Ganeshan Tamil School, Vigneshwaram Tamil School and Mihindu Pre-school, all of which sustained damage during the extreme weather.
The navy is also contributing to wider school infrastructure development under the national ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, where it serves as a key partner in the Presidential Task Force.
Under the theme ‘A School Full of Happiness’, naval teams are assisting with improvements at selected schools across the country, aimed at restoring safe and supportive learning environments for students.
Over the past week, the SLN has intensified its relief operations nationwide, delivering humanitarian assistance to communities affected by adverse weather conditions.
Naval personnel provided essential food items and educational supplies to residents in Puttalam, Kurunegala and Mannar districts, areas that were among those hardest hit by flooding and storm damage.
Following the cyclone’s destructive landfall in November and the assessment of damage in December, the navy has shifted its focus from immediate emergency search and rescue operations to longer-term rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration.
Officials said this transition reflects the scale of damage to public facilities and transport links, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas.
As part of these efforts, the SLN has worked closely with regional partners to restore critical connectivity.
In particular, it collaborated extensively with personnel of the Indian Navy and the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force to airlift Bailey bridges and provide technical assistance for the repair of roads and bridges destroyed by the cyclone.
Naval officials said that their continued involvement is aimed at supporting national recovery priorities, restoring essential services and helping communities return to normalcy, with education infrastructure identified as a key area for early intervention.
(UNI)
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