Srilanka, Aug. 31 -- Of the Rs. 500 billion allocated for relief and rehabilitation work in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah last December, less than half had been spent during the first half of this year, the Daily Mirror has learnt.

The devastating cyclone, which made landfall in Sri Lanka at the end of November last year, caused unprecedented damage to lives and property. The country's infrastructure network was also severely damaged.

The government immediately allocated Rs. 500 billion for relief and rehabilitation operations.

However, only Rs. 244 billion had been spent during the first half of this year.

Of the remaining funds, Rs. 71.7 billion was diverted last month to finance the fuel and fertiliser subsidies announced in Apr...