Rs. 1.17 b allocated for Salawa compensation

The Cabinet has given the green light for compensation payments of Rs. 1.17 billion to people who lost their homes in the Salawa disaster. 

Cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne announced that the Treasury has been ordered to release the funds and it would be paid to the victims over the next few weeks. 

According to assessments carried out by the Disaster Management Ministry, 1,404 houses will be given Rs. 100,000 each as compensation while 390 more will be allocated assistance between Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 1 million. A further 237 houses will be given in excess of Rs. 1 million and this segment will be given the bulk of the funds of over Rs. 1 billion. 

“Cabinet has approved immediate disbursement of Rs. 150 million for the houses that sustained less than Rs. 100,000 in damages. These will be given in one installment. All houses eligible for Rs. 1 million or less will be paid in one installment while those above Rs. 1 million will be given payments in two installments,” he added.   (UJ)