Cabinet agrees to compensate victims of Aluthgama violence

Almost four years after violence enveloped the Muslim and Sinhalese communities in Aluthgama destroying property and assets, the Government has decided to compensate victims, Cabinet Co-spokesperson Gayantha Karunathilaka said this week.

The compensation will be paid for all household equipment and property damaged during the violence that erupted in June 2014 according to the assessments made by the Government Valuation Department. 

Under the scheme, 273 affected families will be receiving compensation, Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Minister D.M. Swaminathan said in the proposal to Cabinet. 

Houses and property of a large number of the area’s residents were destroyed during the violence that erupted in Aluthgama and Beruwala in 2014. Many houses in the community were torched and many others were looted while several businesses were also burnt to the ground. Several members of the community flocked to nearby mosques fearing for their lives and were only able to return to their homes after the Army was able to contain the violence in the days that followed the incident. 

In the aftermath of the violence, the then Government took steps to deploy the army in the area to rebuild houses. However, compensation for other damage was not granted immediately. 

The current Government has made the decision to pay compensation to those affected by the violence, after the Valuation Department was able to complete all assessments, Karunathilaka said.