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Divisional secretaries raise issues regarding Ditwah compensation
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
The disaster compensation plan following Cyclone Ditwa is facing many challenges– some arising from circular related issues, others by disagreements among affected people. There are also instances of individuals who were not affected by the disaster also attempting to claim compensation. In certain areas religious organisations and political parties are creating issues, the Sunday Times learns.
According to some District Secretaries there have been cases of people trying to falsely claim disaster compensation. In some instances, people were deliberately putting mud inside their homes to make it appear as though they were affected by flooding. Others had even gone to the extent of intentionally breaking a wall or a levee on their property to qualify for compensation.
The Sri Lanka Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries (SLADA), in a letter dated January 8, 2026, to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, highlighted administrative difficulties in paying compensation for damaged houses.
According to SLADA, a new policy provides an advance payment of Rs. 500,000 for temporary housing. The association also highlights challenges in determining compensation for partially damaged houses as opposed to those completely destroyed.
They raised concerns about the legal and ethical issues of compensating houses built on unauthorised or high-risk state lands, such as forest and river reserves, where payments are not legally allowed. SLADA has requested clear guidelines and legal protection for government officers to ensure that relief is distributed fairly and transparently, without risking future audits or legal action.
In response to concerns raised by SLADA, the Government Accountants Service Association (GASA) has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence addressing issues related to the payment of disaster compensation.
GASA has objected to the government’s decision to pay a flat sum of Rs. 500,000 for partially damaged properties without proper assessments. The association states that compensation should be based on professional evaluations to prevent the misuse of public funds. It also warns that paying compensation for unauthorised buildings on state-protected land could lead to legal issues and violate existing property laws.
GASA has stated that payments will be suspended until clear and proper guidelines are issued.
Eventually the groundwork regarding compensation and other matters is handled by Grama Niladhari officers. Despite the crucial role they play during natural disasters, the personal, logistical, and administrative challenges they face receive little attention from the public or the ruling party, they say.
Often acting as the main link between the state and affected communities, these officers are frequently disaster victims themselves. Staffing shortages further compound the issue.
Grama Niladhari National Association (SLGNA) General Secretary Neville Wijeratne said Grama Niladharis are often required to perform highly demanding duties without adequate safety equipment or resources. He added that while the country has 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions, only around 11,500 officers are currently in service, leaving a shortage of nearly 2,500. As a result, some officers have to oversee two divisions at the same time, along with handling responsibilities for multiple government departments.
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