PM to submit Cabinet paper to establish Rs. 500 m fund for children

Tuesday, 4 June 2019 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Govt. to provide Rs. 100 m, remainder to be raised from donations
PM’s office says tally from Easter Sunday attacks is 261 dead and 407 injured

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will submit a Cabinet paper today to establish a Rs. 500 million fund to assist children affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement yesterday.

The fund will receive a Rs. 100 million grant from the State, while Rs. 400 million will be raised from donations. In addition, measures will be introduced for the Government to cover the medical expenses of people who were injured in the attacks that need to travel abroad for treatment, and also identify the special needs of those affected.

“The children’s fund will make provisions for all children affected by the attacks, which includes those who lost their parents in the bomb blasts. The Cabinet paper in this regard will be submitted to Cabinet on Tuesday, and a special committee will be appointed, headed by the Prime Minister’s Secretary, to oversee the fund,” the statement said.

The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office also said the number of dead from the attacks has been confirmed at 261, with 174 families already receiving compensation. Of the 407 that were injured, 226 have submitted their medical reports for compensation, and have been paid accordingly. The Government has assured payments for the remainder will be met once the necessary documents are received.

“In addition, the Government has already released funds for the restoration and rebuilding of the three churches that were affected in the blasts. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has provided nine perches of land to expand the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade.”

The Prime Minister had submitted a Cabinet paper seeking compensation for those affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, which was given Cabinet approval on 25 April. A second Cabinet paper seeking compensation for people affected by anti- Muslim violence was also given approval on 23 May.