Demand Fair and Proportionate UK Support for Sri Lanka’s Devastating Flood and Landslide Disaster

Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst natural disasters in its modern history. Catastrophic floods and landslides have destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, bridges, farms, and critical transport networks. Nearly half a million people have been affected, with tens of thousands displaced and entire communities struggling to survive without basic necessities.

This tragedy has struck at a time when Sri Lanka is already weakened by a severe economic crisis. Since 2022, the country has faced shortages of fuel, medicine, essential goods, and a heavily restricted national budget. Sri Lanka simply cannot recover alone. International support is not just helpful, it is absolutely essential.

The scale of devastation is enormous. Cyclone Ditwah has affected approximately 2.3 million people, including over 500,000 children, 1.2 million women, and 263,000 older persons, with around 233,000 people displaced and sheltering in temporary evacuation centres. More than 720,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, alongside over 16,000 km of roads, 278 km of railway tracks, and 480 bridges, severely disrupting essential services and transport networks.

Reconstruction needs are estimated at USD 6–7 billion (approximately £5–6 billion). Urgent priorities include medical care, clean water, food supplies, emergency shelter, and long-term rebuilding of infrastructure vital to everyday life. Without immediate international support, the nation faces a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with millions left without homes, livelihoods, and access to basic services.

A Shared Legacy and Moral Duty

The United Kingdom and Sri Lanka are connected through a long, intertwined relationship spanning public institutions, education, infrastructure, the Commonwealth, and deep cultural ties. Much of Sri Lanka’s essential infrastructure; railway lines, roads, bridges, irrigation systems, schools, and administrative frameworks were built during the British era and continue to serve millions. Today, many of these assets have been severely damaged or destroyed.

Rebuilding this infrastructure is not merely a humanitarian requirement it is a shared responsibility. As a global humanitarian leader and longstanding Commonwealth partner, the UK has the capacity and moral duty to help protect lives and restore systems that both nations helped shape.

The UK Can Do More, and Must Do More

The UK Government has pledged only £1 million. While every contribution is appreciated, this amount is disproportionately small compared to:

• £26.5 million given for Pakistan’s floods
• Hundreds of millions given to Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan
• £290 million for the 2004 tsunami
• £25 million after the Myanmar earthquake

Sri Lanka’s disaster is comparable to, and in some regions more destructive than, these events. A pledge of under £1 million does not reflect the severity of the crisis or the depth of our shared relationship.

Sri Lankan Contributions to the UK

The United Kingdom is home to a strong and vibrant Sri Lankan community, with 148,000 Sri Lanka born residents(2021 Census) and community estimates near 500,000 when including second and third generation British citizens of Sri Lankan heritage.

Sri Lankans contribute significantly to the NHS, education, care sector, business, public services, civil society, and spirituality in the UK. The people of Sri Lanka have stood with Britain. Now Sri Lanka needs Britain to stand with them.

Our Call to the UK Government

We respectfully ask the UK Government to:

 Commit a minimum of £100 million for emergency relief and reconstruction, to:

• Support displaced families and vulnerable children
• Strengthen hospitals, schools, and rural temples acting as emergency shelters
• Rebuild roads, bridges, and public services essential for national recovery
• Protect farms and livelihoods to prevent long-term food insecurity
• Restore heritage infrastructures that remain vital to millions

Establish a Sri Lanka Reconstruction & Resilience Fund

To support multi-year rebuilding and climate disaster preparedness.

Provide assistance through international bodies

Including the World Bank, IMF, and ADB to secure long-term stabilisation and development.

This Appeal Is Not Charity! It Is Fair, Proportionate, and Responsible Support

Sri Lanka cannot recover alone. Its people are resilient, but they need partners who value shared history, Commonwealth solidarity, and humanitarian justice.

People have lost everything.
Children are without schools.
Families are without homes.
Communities are without basic services.

Recovery will take years, and it cannot be done without the UK stepping forward.

Your Voice Matters

By signing this petition, you help raise awareness, influence policymakers, and bring hope to thousands of innocent victims.

👉 Help us help Sri Lanka.
👉 Help rebuild a nation in crisis.
👉 Help give hope again.

Thank you for standing in solidarity. 🇬🇧🇱🇰