A Thai Pongal festival was organized at the Wewassa Defence Centre on the occasion of Thai Pongal Day, which falls on 15.01.2026. 87 members of 28 families affected by the cyclone are staying at the Defence Centre, and this celebration was held with the participation of all of them.

Badulla District Secretary Prabath Abeywardena, who joined the event, said, "Even though you have suffered some disaster due to Cyclone Ditva, at this moment everyone has been able to celebrate Thai Pongal in harmony. Therefore, think about it and be happy. No matter what trouble or obstacle we face, we should accept it as a challenge and work hard. Although this year's Thai Pongal festival will be celebrated at the Defence Centre, I hope that we will be able to celebrate Thai Pongal in a new house built for you in the coming year 2027." Let us all work together for that.

Badulla Administrative Grama Niladhari Ariyawansa, Uva Shakthi Foundation's Nadesan Suresh, NGO Coordinator Hemantha Mangala and a group of others participated in this event.