A proposal to set up a Trust Fund to look after the well-being of 33 children orphaned due to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks has gained Cabinet approval.
The Treasury has already allocated Rs.100 million towards this trust fund for which it is hoped to obtain another Rs. 300 million as outside contributions. Furthermore, the Office for Reparations too is expected to extend assistance towards these children as deemed necessary, the Prime Ministers office said in a statement yesterday. The statement said the Health Ministry too had formulated a programme to provide treatment in medical institutions abroad for the bomb victims who have been hospitalised according to their needs, if necessary.
The government was making arrangements to pay Rs one million as compensation in respect of the bomb victims who died and a maximum of Rs 500,000 to each injured person.
Arrangements are also been made to pay compensation in respect of damaged property.
The statement said that Rs 185 million had been already paid as compensation for 189 persons who died and more than Rs 53 million had been paid in respect of 403 injured.
In addition to this, the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy are engaged in rehabilitating the damaged Katuwapitiya St. Sebastian’s Church, Batticaloa Zion Church and the Colombo Kochchikade St. Anthonys’ Church for which funds had already been released.
The process of paying compensation for properties damaged during the disturbances in Minuwangoda, Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola and several other areas subsequent to the bomb attacks had also commenced.
The Office for Reparations had been instructed to pay an advance towards damaged business institutions for commencing business until the full amount of compensation due was paid.
Anyone encountering problems relating to payment of compensation is requested to contact office for Reparations Director Ananda Wijepala on telephone 0112-575803, 0112-575813 or 0112-575826 or fax 0112-575815.
(Daily News)