Govt has paid Rs 225 mn as compensation to families of those killed in Easter terror attacks

By Saman Indrajith

The Sri Lankan state had paid Rs 225 million to the families of those killed in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks as compensation, Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament yesterday (12).

Responding to a question posed by an Opposition MP, the Minister said a scholarship scheme had also been introduced for the children of the Easter Sunday bomb victims.

The Minister said the state has paid a million rupees each for seven children who have lost their parents.These children were recommended by ‘Seth Sarana,’ the social welfare arm of the Sri Lankan Catholic Church, he said.

These are children who lost their lives at Kochchikade and Katuwapitiya churches, the minister added.

Ranatunga mentioned that the government has identified two qualifying children for the compensation scheme among victims of the Zion Church in Batticaloa. However, as Seth Sarana has not recommended compensation, these children have not yet received payment.

The Minister said the government has appointed grassroots officials to inquire into the wellbeing of these children.Over 260 people were killed in the suicide blasts in several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on 21 April 2019.