PM instructs to expedite reconstruction of Zion Church damaged in Easter Sunday attacks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the reconstruction of the Zion Church in Batticaloa, which was destroyed by the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, would be completed in time to hold Christmas services.

The Prime Minister made this announcement when he made an observation visit to the Zion Church in Batticaloa yesterday. 

The Premier reviewed the progress of the reconstruction work by the Army and expressed his appreciation to the Army officers and soldiers who are performing the task quickly and efficiently.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the measures to be taken to heal the physical and psychological damage of the persons affected by the 21 April bombing of the church.

The Zion Church in Batticaloa is one of the three churches attacked by the extremist Muslim group National Thowheed Jamath on Easter Sunday.

Pastor Roshan Mahesh Manoshan stated that he is grateful for the support given by the Prime Minister and the Government following the incident. Pastor Manoshan said that the leadership given by the Prime Minister looking into the matter since the incident to restore the lives of the people and the building is appreciated by the whole community.

Speaking to media after the visit, the Premier said the Government has paid the first round of compensation to the deceased and the injured in the Easter Sunday attacks.

Accordingly Rs. 185 million has been paid for 189 deaths and Rs. 53 million has been paid for 403 people injured in the attacks. The Premier said if additional compensation needs to be paid to the victims depending on individual cases, the Government is also ready to pay the additional amounts through the Office of Reparations.

The Prime Minister said measure are being taken to set up a trust fund for the 33 children orphaned and to reconstruct the three churches damaged in the attacks

The Prime Minister also visited the Catholic and Anglican Churches in Batticaloa and held discussions with the pastors of the churches.