COLOMBO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Parliament on Friday approved a one-month extension of the state of emergency.
A total of 106 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal, while two voted against and 117 absent when the vote was taken.
The emergency was first declared by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Nov. 28, 2025, following Cyclone Ditwah. The measure aims to ensure public security, maintain law and order, and guarantee the continuous supply of essential services.
Addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the cyclone caused widespread damage, requiring rapid mobilization of personnel and resources. The emergency measures aim to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services and enable the appointment of an essential service commissioner general to speed up recovery efforts.
According to World Bank estimates, the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah was 4.1 billion U.S. dollars. ■