An apolitical approach to humanitarian assistance was embraced by Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah affected the island in December 2025. Both government and the opposition came together to rise above politics. The epitome of the bipartisanship was the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation chaired by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga contributing USD 830,000 (Rs. 250 million) to the government fund established to support recovery and resettlement of communities affected by recent disasters. The contribution was handed over to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya by the former President Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the Prime Minister’s Office. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hinduma Sunil Senevi and members of the foundation’s Board of Directors were also present at the occasion.
If Sri Lankans can learn the right lessons from Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka can emerge stronger and better. It is not too late for Sri Lanka to restore the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a time tested appointment that was abolished on December 31, 2024. Had government retained the post of CDS, many lives would have been saved during the Cyclone. The CDS acts as the highest-ranking serving military officer overseeing the coordination, modernisation and integration of the Armed Forces. World War II was won because the land, sea and air forces were integrated. Similarly to respond to any man-made catastrophe or natural disaster, a serving military officer should hold the appointment of CDS. Confrontational politics will damage and destroy social harmony, political stability and economic prosperity of Sri Lanka and many other countries that place politics before the nation. With political maturity comes farsighted policy and decision-making. Humanitarian assistance should always be apolitical!
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation also manages the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), a great institution that hosts the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. I had the pleasure of serving on the board of BMICH chaired by former President Kumaratunge Bandaranaike. Former President Kumaratunge Bandaranaike is the daughter of two prime ministers of Sri Lanka.
My full tribute can be read on LinkedIn here.
Prof Rohan Gunaratna is a specialist of the global threat environment