Sri Lanka has announced special visa concessions for foreign nationals unable to leave the country due to the severe rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah.  
Since last week, torrential rains have battered the island, unleashing floods and landslides that have killed 123 people and left 130 missing, according to Sri Lankan newspapers. Rescue operations remain hampered by road closures, rising waters, and continuous rainfall.  
The Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka confirmed on Saturday that the Department of Immigration and Emigration will waive fees for travelers whose departures were disrupted. Those who attempted to leave on Friday but were grounded due to the cyclone will not be charged for visa extensions, nor will they face penalties for overstaying. Short-term tourist, business, and residence visas will be extended for seven days, with tourist visa renewals available via an online portal. Maldivians requiring assistance are advised to contact the High Commission hotline or email the mission directly.  
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the deployment of more than 20,000 military personnel to conduct rescue operations.
The High Commission added that it is providing food supplies to Maldivians in need and monitoring the situation closely, noting that some citizens remain stranded at Colombo’s international airport.  
Cyclone Ditwah has displaced more than 44,000 people, forcing them into state-run welfare centers. The Kelani River burst its banks, inundating parts of Colombo, while landslides in the central highlands have cut off access to districts such as Nuwara Eliya, home to a large Maldivian community.  
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency, deploying over 20,000 army personnel for rescue operations. International support has begun to arrive: India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, airlifting relief supplies and disaster response teams to Colombo. Pakistan and other nations have also expressed solidarity, while Sri Lanka considers issuing a formal international appeal for aid.  
The cyclonic storm is expected to move towards the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next 48 hours. (Photo/NDTV)
The cyclone, which made landfall on November 26, has now exited Sri Lanka and is moving toward the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts in India, but residual rains continue to affect the island.  
Sri Lanka remains a popular destination for Maldivians seeking medical treatment, education, and leisure. With visa concessions now in place, authorities aim to ease the burden on foreign nationals stranded by one of the most destructive weather events in recent memory.