Rishad Insists Rs. 1 lakh Payment to Flood and Landslide Victims

Minister of Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen speaking in Parliament insisted that initially Rs 1 lakh be paid to flood and landslide victims in the first instance without waiting for assessment of damage caused. In making this payment officials should not insist such as house registration number, electricity bill, water bill or telephone bills.

In most of the cases all these documents had been washed off in flood. Hence officials should understand the real situation. Even people who were in rented house should also be considered for this initial payment. I have seen the sufferings of these people.     He then related the plight of affected people in Kolonnawa, where he made an inspection visit. Most of the people in this area lost their property including vehicles and other valuable assets. They were accommodated in Mosque, Schools and Buddhist temples.