Dhaka, Dec. 15 -- Sri Lanka's parliament will interrupt its recess to fast-track financial aid needed for rebuilding after Cyclone Ditwah, which killed nearly 650 people, officials said Sunday.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had said last week that the island nation would need at least $1.66 billion in 2026 - in addition to the $166 million he said the government would spend this year - to rebuild and recover from what he described as the "most challenging natural disaster" to hit the country.

Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on Sunday issued a notice for an urgent meeting of the legislature, which had gone into recess after approving the 2026 budget earlier this month and was not scheduled to meet again until January 6.

"I ...