Govt. accelerates housing assistance for Cyclone Ditwah victims
By S. Kavishana
COLOMBO – The government is accelerating efforts to provide temporary housing and compensation to families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah, with support from the armed forces, Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr Susil Ranasinghe said.
Speaking at an event in Colombo, the minister said the Tri-Forces are assisting in the construction of temporary shelters equipped with basic facilities and adequate safety measures for families currently living in relief camps.
“We are working intensively to ensure affected families have access to safe temporary accommodation while long-term housing solutions are implemented,” he said.
The minister said the government has approved compensation of Rs 5 million for homeowners whose houses were completely destroyed by the cyclone.
For partially damaged houses, up to Rs 500,000 in financial assistance will be provided. An initial payment of Rs 300,000 will be released first, while the remaining Rs 200,000 will be disbursed after beneficiaries submit evidence of repair work through their respective Divisional Secretariats.
Authorities have so far identified approximately 6,000 houses as completely destroyed. Dr Ranasinghe said homes located in landslide-prone or otherwise unsafe areas would also be classified as fully damaged, even if structural destruction was only partial, as affected families cannot be safely resettled in those locations.
In such cases, the government will provide alternative land and a housing grant of Rs 5 million to support reconstruction. Some displaced families have also expressed interest in purchasing homes in locations of their choice, he added.
According to the minister, more than 1,000 initial compensation payments have already been released to owners of completely destroyed houses, while compensation has been provided to around 25,000 households with partially damaged properties.
He acknowledged that administrative delays had initially slowed the distribution process, citing competing responsibilities faced by Divisional Secretariat staff, including welfare program reviews, fuel allocation duties and additional pressures arising from economic challenges linked to developments in the Middle East.
“While there were some delays in the early stages, the compensation program has now been significantly accelerated and payments are being processed more rapidly,” he said.
-ENCL
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