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Some stretched to the limit despite cyclone damage payouts
View(s):Nearly ten weeks after Cyclone Ditwah devastated the country, the Sunday Times team’s visit to Colombo’s worst-affected area captures victims’ woes – from unpaid compensation to struggles in resuming livelihoods with little state support
By Sajeniya Sathanandan
It has been more than two months since Cyclone Ditwah devastated Sri Lanka, yet some are still struggling to regain a sense of normalcy as the government faces challenges in distributing promised compensation.
Mary Katherine sits outside her house made of wooden planks
Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary Priyantha Perera said that with a small office and limited staff, he needs to manage and distribute compensation. “Out of a total of 150 officers, 120 of them were personally affected by damage to their own homes. It is a challenge to handle the high volume of work.’’
He said Rs 25,000 was given to 29,000 families for cleaning. About 24,000 families have been given Rs 50,000. Roughly 1,000 families are expected to receive this payment, and it is to be completed by next week.
K. Paramasivam
A circular regarding help for small and micro-scale businesses was only issued last week. He said assessments for these micro-shops and small businesses are scheduled to start next week.
The priority is assessing damaged houses. Only a few assessments remain, and payments for damaged houses are expected to begin next week.
During a recent visit to the Wellampitiya and Kohilawatte areas, the Sunday Times learned that while some affected families have received Rs 25,000 for house cleaning and others Rs 50,000 to replace essential utensils, children and business owners had been overlooked.
Most of those affected are in a quandary.
“I have three grandchildren who go to three different schools. The school gave books to the daughter in Grade 9, but my sons, in Grades 7 and 4, did not receive anything. They lost all their books, socks, and shoes,” Kohilawatta resident G.P. Chandrawathi said.
She said she got Rs 25,000 to clean the house and Rs 50,000 to buy utensils but did not receive the compensation promised to schoolchildren. They are barely surviving as a family with six. “My son-in-law works at the Municipal Council. His income is not enough.’’
People are feeling restless because they do not have a proper understanding of the administrative processes and timelines.
Mary Katherine, 77, said she got the Rs. 25,000 but nothing more. “My daughter works at a Wellampitiya milk packaging factory. Hers is the only income we have. We used to live in the same house, which was built out of wood, but it was affected by the floods. It is no longer in a usable state. But we do not have any other option. We are living in this space.’’
G.P. Chandrawathi
K.K.G.D. Roshan, 42, a shop owner, said that after the disaster, officials visited houses to assess the damage but did not visit businesses. “I asked the official what would happen to my shop, but the answer I got was not helpful,” he said.
He said that it appeared that the government had not given clear instructions to the officials regarding businesses. “I took a loan and restocked my convenience store in Wellampitiya, as this is my source of income.’’ Three fridges were damaged, but he cannot afford to buy new ones.
He received Rs 25,000 to clean his house but nothing for the shop. “I heard people saying that the officials have started distributing Rs 50,000 to buy utensils. I have been checking my phone to see whether I have received it as well, but so far nothing.’’
Some families who run a business live in the same space. Officials have provided Rs 25,000 for cleaning up but have not given anything to recover the business.
K. Paramasivam, 49, said, “In addition to my family members, my workers also live with me. I need to take care of everyone with the income that I get from the Wellampitiya food shop.’’ He had to borrow and restart the food shop. “No savings, no future; we are surviving for the day.’’
K.K.G.D. Roshan (inset) reopened his convenience store with the help of a loan Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera
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