The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday said that over 20,000 families, affected by the recent disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, were still sheltered in relief centres.

The DMC said that 70,055 people from 22,522 families were currently sheltered in 762 relief centres across the country.

The majority of these centres are located in the Kandy district, where 17,437 people from 5,427 families are staying in 222 relief centres.

Many relief centres are also located in the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts–– with 19,750 people from 6,487 families in 206 relief centres in Nuwara Eliya, and 19,409 people from 6,026 families in 155 relief centres in Badulla.

Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi has said measures are being taken to swiftly resettle these families within 2–3 months.

By Chaminda Silva

The second phase of the third term for Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim schools begins today (16), with special guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to address the ongoing disaster situation.

The Ministry’s circular, communicated to all Provincial Directors, Zonal Directors, Divisional Deputy and Assistant Directors, principals, and heads of government and government-approved private schools, emphasises that no fees should be charged from students, temporarily admitted to schools, due to disaster-related disruptions.

The second phase will continue until Monday, 22nd December, followed by a holiday from 23rd to 28th December, with the third phase scheduled from 29th to 31st December. For Muslim schools, the second phase will run until Saturday, 27th December, and continue until Friday, 2nd January 2026.

Students from schools affected by transportation difficulties or disaster impacts are to be temporarily placed at the nearest available school, with Zonal Directors authorised to manage such placements. Attendance for these students must be recorded in a temporary register, and no fees are to be collected.

The circular also directs schools to provide necessary lessons, study materials, and mental health support for students preparing for the Advanced Level and Ordinary Level examinations affected by the disaster. Hostel facilities should accommodate students from distant areas wherever possible.

No funds should be collected from students for disaster relief activities. Any voluntary work by students, over 14, must have parental consent and be fully supervised by teachers.

School meal programmes are to commence from today, following Public Health Inspector guidelines in disaster-affected areas. Schools unable to start immediately may begin on a date set by the respective Provincial Directors of Education.

The Ministry’s circular provides these and other operational instructions to ensure continuity of education while safeguarding students’ welfare during this challenging period.

Former Justice Minister and President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has said the Greek bond case against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and four others, recently withdrawn by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), cannot be refiled.

Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the drafting of the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act, is of the view that the manner of withdrawal has deprived CIABOC of any legal right to revive proceedings.

Contrary to media reports, no court condition required Cabraal to pay Rs 1.84 billion within three months to a Central Bank account, Dr. Rajapakshe said.

The case was withdrawn without trial under Section 67 of the Anti-Corruption Act, a provision introduced to allow limited withdrawal of long-pending cases where evidence is weak or difficult to establish. Section 67 requires the accused to agree in court to multiple conditions, including issuing a public apology, compensating losses, admitting wrongdoing, promising not to repeat the offense, and renouncing future eligibility for elected or appointed office.

Rajapakshe said that none of those conditions were met in the Cabraal case. Court records showed the accused had not consented to any terms and explicitly refused to pay the aforesaid amount. As a result, the withdrawal does not legally fall under Section 67, he has said, adding that since the case was withdrawn before trial, the court had no option other than acquittal.

“Without a Section 67 agreement formally recorded in court, CIABOC has no legal authority to refile the case,” Dr. Rajapaksa told the media, addressing widespread confusion about the outcome of the case.