AKD chairs special discussion on restoring lives under ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program

A special discussion was held on Saturday under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to review district-level plans aimed at restoring the lives of citizens under the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program and to examine challenges that have emerged during implementation. 

The meeting included Secretaries of Ministries responsible for defence, agriculture, irrigation, water supply, fisheries, transport, housing and construction, heads of relevant line institutions, and all District Secretaries.

The President issued instructions to ensure that the Rs. 25,000 Government grant for house cleaning and the Rs. 50,000 allowance for purchasing household equipment are provided to beneficiaries before 31 December. 

Detailed progress was also reviewed regarding district-level activities to compensate for housing and crop losses, operate safe centres across the country, resettle affected citizens, restore livelihoods, and develop infrastructure.

Special attention was given to challenges arising in the implementation of compensation payments, emphasising the necessity to carry out these activities efficiently and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements without exclusion.

Extensive discussions were held on resettlement and identification of required lands, and steps were taken to prepare separate plans for housing projects in main districts. The President indicated that follow-up consultations involving all relevant stakeholders will be convened accordingly.

The necessity of promptly relocating citizens from high-risk areas to safer locations was emphasised, along with the requirement to ensure that compensation for housing losses is distributed fairly and transparently.

The President also reviewed the progress of programs aimed at preparing farmers in Maha season, including irrigation repairs, provision of grants, and the distribution of seeds and other facilities. 

Additionally, discussions included providing compensation to damaged livestock farms, supporting the restart of small businesses affected by the disaster, restoring the fisheries industry, and promptly distributing the Rs. 15,000 Government allowance for school children.

The implementation of procedures for reissuing lost passports and national identity cards was also examined during the meeting.

Officials present included Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala, Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Chandana Abeyratne, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary S. Aloka Bandara, Commissioner General of Essential Services and Irrigation and Public Infrastructure Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Housing, Construction and Water Supply Ministry Secretary Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Senior Professor Kapila Perera, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickramasinghe, Fisheries, Water and Ocean Resources Ministry Secretary Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Senior Additional Presidential Secretaries Kapila Janaka Bandara, Roshan Gamage, and Russel Aponso, officials from the Disaster Management Centre, National Building Research Organisation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Irrigation, Department of Railways, all District Secretaries, and senior officials from the Finance Ministry.