The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in the public health response to the Ditwah cyclone disaster, mobilising its membership of public health specialists across the country.
Central technical guidance from key Ministry of Health public health units was translated into provincial and regional action, supporting continuity of maternal and child health services, communicable-disease prevention, non-communicable disease care and wider disaster-response needs.
CCPSL members also contributed extensively to public risk communication through television, media discussions, videos and widely shareable health messages covering leptospirosis, diarrhoeal disease, respiratory infections, dengue, breastfeeding, immunisation, mental health, well chlorination, injury prevention, menstrual hygiene and care of vulnerable groups.
The coordinated response demonstrated the value of organised public health leadership during a national emergency.