Ministry officials have submitted their estimates for the recent disaster's infrastructure damage, immediately raising questions over the total national cost.

The Road Development Authority informed the Parliamentary Oversight Committee that it incurred a Rs. 75 billion loss.

The damage includes 316 roads and 40 bridges, with approximately Rs. 190 billion required for complete restoration and repair.

Separately, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board reported estimated losses of Rs. 5.6 billion, and the Ceylon Electricity Board incurred a loss of about Rs. 20 billion.

These figures come to light amid great uncertainty regarding the total quantification of national damage.

While some financial experts estimate the total damage at just over $1 billion, the government’s figure is seven times that amount.

First Capital Research, in their analysis of the situation, estimates the total damage incurred by the disaster to be no more than $1.1 billion, while prominent economist, Dr Kenneth de Zilwa’s estimation is around Rs. 320 billion, which translates to little over $1 billion.