COLOMBO – A Parliamentary Select Committee, tasked with investigating the systemic failures surrounding the country’s inadequate response to Cyclone Ditwah, has launched a high-stakes inquiry into the actions of senior law enforcement officials during the disaster.
In a session held at the Parliamentary complex, the committee—chaired by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa—confronted several Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) regarding the operational protocols and emergency measures deployed as the cyclone battered various districts. The inquiry comes amid mounting public and political pressure to hold authorities accountable for what many have described as a catastrophic lack of preparedness that left vulnerable communities exposed to the storm’s full force.
The proceedings focused on the timeline of emergency responses, the mobilization of police units during the height of the crisis, and potential lapses in communication between disaster management agencies and field officers. The committee members sought to determine whether existing disaster response protocols were implemented effectively and why, in many instances, coordination appeared to falter when it was needed most.
“Our objective is to uncover the truth behind the delays and inefficiencies that characterized the response to Cyclone Ditwah,” a source close to the committee stated. “The testimony provided by these officers is a critical component in understanding where the machinery of the state failed to protect its citizens.”
The probe extended beyond the police force, with the committee also summoning former Member of Parliament Nimal Piyatissa. Piyatissa was questioned specifically regarding statements he made to the media in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. During his testimony, the committee sought to clarify the details behind his public criticisms of the government’s relief efforts, pressing him to provide evidence and further context regarding his claims of administrative negligence.
The scrutiny of both high-ranking police officers and political figures signals a broader intent by the committee to conduct an exhaustive, non-partisan review of the disaster response. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the cyclone, the findings of this committee are expected to be pivotal.
The panel is currently tasked with compiling a comprehensive report for Parliament, which will include detailed findings and, crucially, a set of robust proposals and recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence of the failures seen during Cyclone Ditwah.
While the committee has remained tight-lipped on the specific nature of the evidence brought forward during the closed-door questioning, the session marks a significant turning point in the post-cyclone review process. Further witnesses are expected to be summoned in the coming weeks as the committee moves closer to finalizing its report.
For now, the focus remains on transparency, with the government facing intense scrutiny to ensure that future emergency preparedness is built on accountability and improved institutional coordination.
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