Compensation for deaths and injuries of victims of Easter Sunday attack at St. Sebastian’s Church

On the instruction of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs, the compensation package for deaths and injuries of the suicide bomb attacks which took place at St. Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya was arranged and distributed on 16 May. 

The compensation package for the victims included 89 deaths and 130 injuries and the payment was made at Cardinal Cooray Church. Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga distributed the cheques with Rev. Fathers while Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy, Office for Reparations Director Ananda Wijepala, Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement Director S. Jalatheepan, and Divisional Secretaries participated in the program.

The Prime Minister presented a Cabinet Paper and obtained the Cabinet of Ministers approval for the payment of compensation of Rs. 1 million per death and a maximum of Rs. 500,000 for injuries based on the degree of disability/impaired. With regard to property damages, a maximum of Rs. 5 million based on the Chief Valuer’s report has also been approved for payment. 

The costs of rehabilitation/reconstruction of the damaged churches are to be met by the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs and work to be undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy. 

Accordingly, already Rs. 10 million has been paid as an advance to St. Sebastian’s Church, Rs. 10 million for Kochchikade Church and Rs. 5 million for St. Zion Church in Batticaloa has been paid as advance on the directive of the Prime Minister as the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs.

Office for Reparations of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs is entrusted with the implementation of the compensation package payment responsibility with regard to the attack that took place at St. Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya. For St. Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya, a sum of Rs. 81.7 million has been already paid for 89 deaths while Rs. 13.1 million has been paid for the 137 injuries reported. 

Similarly, for St. Anthony’s Church at Kochchikade and other places in Colombo where the attacks took place, a sum of Rs. 18.4 million has been paid for 27 deaths and Rs. 1.3 million for four injuries has been paid. Further, Rs. 21.2 million has been paid for 27 deaths while Rs. 3.7 million for 35 injuries has been already paid for the suicide bomb attack which took place in St. Zion Church at Batticaloa. A total compensation of Rs. 121 million for 143 deaths and Rs. 18.1 for 176 injuries has been paid. Further, the balance payments for the victims will be paid on submission of necessary supporting documents, said V. Sivagnanasothy.

The compensation packages are expected to be fully completed within 10 days covering all the affected parties as instructed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.