Grama Niladaris fear bad precedent from Rs 500,000 damage payout By Ishu Bandara View(s): View(s):Although the Defence Ministry issued a second circular to address the controversy over the payment of Rs 500,000 as compensation to owners of partially damaged houses without proper assessment following Cyclone Ditwah, the Grama Niladhari Union has continued to oppose the decision. In response, the Defence Ministry issued a second circular. The second circular states that those whose homes are partially damaged will receive Rs. He said the assessments back then were controversial, with some payments made without proper valuation, and warned that paying a flat rate of Rs 500,000 for partially damaged houses now, without proper assessment, could set a bad precedent. Another key party involved in influencing the second circular was the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service Association.

Source: Sunday Times January 26, 2026 00:14 UTC