Govt. to complete compensation for Easter Sunday and communal attacks next week

• PM tells Parliament 161 suspects in custody, 167 remanded
• Says efforts are being made to hold suspects of communal clashes in Wayamba responsible
• Marrikar faults Govt. for not carrying out Digana compensation

The Government will complete compensation payments for property damaged in the Easter Sunday attacks and subsequent anti-Muslim mob violence, mostly in Gampaha District and the North Western Province by next week, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, updating Parliament on the progress of the Easter Sunday attack investigations, held 161 suspects were in custody while 167 suspects have been remanded. “Based on the investigations, it was revealed that these people were indirectly and directly related to the Easter Sunday attacks. Investigations are underway. In addition, 99 were arrested.  Based on the directives of the Attorney General, we will take legal action,” said Wickremesinghe.

According to the Prime Minister, 39 people suspected to be behind anti-Muslim attacks were arrested from the Kurunegala District. “Further investigations are underway, and we have reported the progress to the courts. I am sure the culprits responsible for these attacks will be punished,” he explained, assuring compensation will be settled in full by next week.

However, United National Party MP S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government for not settling the compensation long due for the damages caused during the Digana attacks. “This is the same steps followed to pay compensation for the property damaged in Digana. Until this moment, compensation has not been paid for Digana,” he charged.

In response, the Prime Minister held that he is sure at least a part of the compensation was settled, and invited lawmaker Marikkar to take part in the next meeting on the distribution of funds. (AH)