According to the President, the Government will provide Rs. 50,000 per affected household to purchase essential household items for homes destroyed. Families moving out of evacuation centers will also receive a Rs. 25,000 monthly allowance for three months to help secure temporary accommodation.
For long-term housing recovery, fully damaged homes will be eligible for a Rs. 5 million grant for new construction, while an additional Rs. 5 million grant will be offered for land acquisition for families who lost their property. Houses with partial damage will be supported with up to Rs. 2.5 million for repairs.
Significant support has also been extended to sectors critical to rural livelihoods. Registered livestock farms destroyed by the disaster will receive Rs. 200,000, and owners of completely damaged registered fishing boats will be granted Rs. 400,000 in compensation.
To revive agriculture, the Government has allocated Rs. 150,000 per hectare for replanting paddy and other grain crops, while Rs. 200,000 per hectare will be provided to restart vegetable cultivation.
Businesses severely affected by the disaster will be supported through a Rs. 5 million recovery grant, aimed at restoring economic activity in impacted regions.
Students in affected areas will receive Rs. 25,000 in total assistance, combining Rs. 15,000 from the Treasury and Rs. 10,000 from the President’s Fund.
The President further announced that a request has been made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to increase the sixth tranche of the Extended Fund Facility to USD 341 million, with discussions expected to conclude by February. Additionally, Sri Lanka has sought a further USD 200 million in emergency assistance from the IMF to meet urgent dollar requirements.
To streamline reconstruction efforts, a National Task Force for Reconstruction will be established immediately.
The Government also confirmed that Rs. 1 million will be provided as compensation for each individual who lost their life in the disaster.
These measures, the President stated, represent the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every affected family receives the support needed to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.
