Sri Lanka, July 2 -- COLOMBO - Sri Lanka on Wednesday (July 1) lifted the nationwide state of emergency imposed following the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, nearly eight months after the storm killed hundreds of people and caused the country's worst natural disaster in two decades.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the emergency regulations, first imposed shortly after the cyclone struck in late November 2025, would not be extended.

"From now on, there will be no state of emergency in the country," Jayatissa told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared the state of emergency in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone to facilitate disaster response, rescue operations and r...