Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka: 600+ Schools Remain Shut as Government Promises Relief

In a move to support students affected by recent cyclones, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education has announced that over 600 schools in cyclone-hit provinces will remain closed for the third term. Students from Grades 6 to 10 will be promoted without term tests, as instructed by Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa. The decision to reopen schools has been left to provincial and district authorities, who will assess local conditions before making a final call. The government is also working on a plan to provide relief to affected areas, including the construction of 8,000 new homes for vulnerable families. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to complete this project by the end of next year. Moreover, the government has committed to paying 25,000 Sri Lankan rupees to each household affected by the floods. According to officials, the cyclones have impacted over 2.2 million people, with 6,164 houses destroyed and 112,110 left partially damaged. The National Council for Disaster Management has taken the first step in 7 years to address this crisis and develop a plan for long-term recovery.