Government to Grant Rs. 500,000 for Disaster-Affected Houses With No Damage Assessments

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says that a decision has been taken to provide Rs. 500,000 per house for housing damages caused by disaster situations, without conducting individual damage assessments.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing an awareness programme on the “Praja Shakthi” initiative, held at the Kobeigane Divisional Secretariat.

Minister Wijepala explained that initial financial assistance was provided before formal circulars were issued, and the main objective of discussions was to support families whose homes were fully or partially damaged, or affected by flooding.

The Minister stated that conducting detailed assessments for over 120,000 partially damaged houses would take nearly a year, delaying much-needed relief. 

Therefore, the government decided to grant Rs. 500,000 to each affected household without assessment, ensuring timely assistance.

However, he noted that beneficiaries who prefer a formal assessment are free to opt out of the fixed compensation. 

In such cases, if the assessed value of damage amounts to Rs. 2.5 million or even Rs. 5 million, the government will provide the full assessed amount accordingly.

Minister Wijepala stressed that all decisions are taken with the welfare of the people in mind, ensuring fairness, transparency, and swift recovery for disaster-affected communities.