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Iyankoyiladi, Murasumottai, Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka – World Socialist Web Site reporters visited the village of Iyankoyiladi, Murasumottai in the Kilinochchi district, located in Sri LankaS war-ravaged Northern Province, to speak with survivors of Cyclone Ditwah, which has devastated large parts of the island.
According to the Disaster Management Center (DMC), the island-wide death toll has risen to 627, with 73 people still missing. The DMC further reported that at least 275,819 individuals from 84,729 families have been affected. Temporary shelter centers are housing 7,177 families, comprising 22,139 individuals.
In the predominantly Tamil Northern Province, the death toll stands at nine, with four people reported missing. due to the inadequate conditions in the government-run shelters,many survivors told the WSWS they preferred to remain in their homes,despite extensive damage.
R. Rajeswaran, a farmer, described the impact: “We have been immensely affected this year by the overflow of the nearby Iranaimadu Reservoir due to this flood disaster. The roof tiles of our house have been blown away by the wind. Our livelihood, garden, paddy field, and cattle have been severely affected. We had cultivated paddy fields that were taken on lease.”
He commented on the government’s failure to provide assistance: “So far,government officials have not approached us,and no compensation has been given. We spent five days in the school shelter, but the authorities sent us back home. As then, no one has come to inquire about our problems. Even now, we cannot live in our house.”
Rajeswaran also condemned Tamil nationalist politicians: “No political parties have come to see our plight. Siridaran from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi visited the shelter and inquired about our well-being, but nothing has been done to solve the problems we are facing.”
He expressed solidarity with cyclone victims in other parts of the country: “The people in the south and hill country have been greatly affected by this cyclone. They are as helpless as we are. They are facing the same fate that we experienced during the war that ended in 2009. We want to live without suffering, beyond the ethnic divide of Tamil and Sinhala.”
He whent on to describe the horrors they endured during the communal war: “We suffered terribly during the war. We lost relatives and property. We have never received help for what we lost. We’ve been disappointed many times. Since the government gave us nothing, we had to work hard every day to survive. But now,all the belongings and property we managed to collect through hard work after the war have been destroyed by this flood disaster.”
A village in Sri Lanka is facing a dire humanitarian crisis following severe flooding and cyclone damage, with residents reporting a complete lack of support from political officials and essential services. Reports from a resident, speaking on December 9, 2025, detail widespread devastation, shortages of basic necessities, and growing fears of disease and starvation.The situation highlights a critical failure of disaster response and a pattern of neglect by authorities, who are accused of only appearing during election cycles.
Widespread Damage and Basic Needs Shortages
The village is reeling from the impact of recent floods and strong winds. The resident reported that homes are “soaked” and roofs are leaking, leaving families exposed to the elements. Access to essential resources is severely limited. A critical shortage of fuel is compounding the crisis; kerosene supplies are almost weary, with only four liters available at the local petrol station, and petrol is also unavailable. This impacts the ability to cook and power essential equipment.
“We have to walk 2.5 kilometers to reach the main road. If someone falls ill at night,it is indeed unthinkable,” the resident stated,emphasizing the isolation and vulnerability of the community. Frequent power cuts, coupled with a complete lack of mobile phone signal, further exacerbate the situation, cutting off residents from vital interaction networks.
breakdown of Services and Lack of Official Response
The lack of governmental assistance is a central theme of the resident’s account.Fallen trees, blocking roads and hindering movement, have not been cleared by official teams. instead, residents have been forced to remove them themselves. The only official presence has been from the Grama sevaka (village level administrative official),but their efforts are insufficient to address the scale of the disaster.
Access to healthcare is notably concerning. Residents must travel three kilometers to reach any medical facilities, posing a notable risk, especially during emergencies. The lack of sanitation and clean water raises the specter of epidemics. Children are forced to walk the same distance to attend school, adding to the hardship.
economic hardship and Fears for the Future
The disaster has devastated local agriculture, with rice crops and vegetable gardens destroyed. This is expected to lead to a sharp increase in food prices. The resident reported that a kilogram of tomatoes already costs 1,000 rupees, and warned that survival will become increasingly tough for many.
“Politicians only come during election time. They don’t visit to see people’s suffering or offer help,” the resident lamented, expressing a deep sense of abandonment and distrust towards the political establishment.
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Vulnerability and response Challenges
Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and landslides, due to its geographic location and climate patterns. Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre is the primary government body responsible for disaster preparedness and response. However, reports like this suggest significant gaps in the effectiveness of these systems, particularly in reaching remote and vulnerable communities.
The current crisis underscores the need for improved disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and a more robust and equitable distribution of aid. it also highlights the importance of local governance and the role of officials like the Grama Sevaka in providing essential support during times of crisis. Without immediate and sustained assistance, the residents of this village face a bleak future.