Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon presided over a discussion to look into the measures to be taken to provide relief to people whose houses were damaged in the recent floods. The discussion was held today (Jun 25) at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The Minister discussed the steps to be taken to provide assistance to the disaster-affected people to restore their damaged houses.

The President has approved the necessary financial allocations for compensation for fully or partially damaged houses. Required funds have already been allocated from the treasury and it is planned to distribute these funds through district secretariats and divisional secretariats, the State Minister said. It has been proposed to provide Rs. 2.5 million for each totally damaged house. Further, it is also proposed to obtain services from the armed forces for the reconstruction work which will avoid the difficulties in obtaining necessary labour, the Minister added.

It has been under discussion with the state officials the possible practical issues that may arise during this process and counter measures to be taken. Accordingly, the Minister also emphasized that the cooperation of all public service officers including Grama Niladharis, Development Officers, Agricultural Officers and Disaster Relief Officers is essential for this process.

Director General of DMC Major General Udaya Herath, Director General of the National Building Research Organization Asiri Karunawardena, Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake, Additional Secretary of the DMC Gamage Dharmathilaka, officials of the Ministry of Finance, District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats, staff officers of the DMC and senior military personnel were present for this discussion.