The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, I provide the following answers.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Information on compensation paid for damages to properties and businesses due to natural disasters from 2017 to 2024 district-wise has been submitted as Annex 01. Details of compensation paid for loss of life due to natural disasters district-wise have been submitted as Annex 02.

¶ 03 (ii) Accepted.

¶ 04 (iii) Payments exceeding Rs. 10,000 relate to assessments with relatively higher values; therefore, several factors necessitate proper verification of land ownership. It is understood that: - Benefits must accrue to the rightful beneficiaries. - Since claims are also made for lands under disputes/cases, the exact entitled party must be identified. - Granting compensation without ascertaining ownership for unauthorized constructions would validate an illegality. - Attempts at fraudulent claims could lead to benefits being misdirected.

¶ 05 Accordingly, except in cases involving reservations, unauthorized occupants, and legal disputes, even if legal documents are not available to prove ownership, District Secretaries may consider length of residence and absence of other claimants to compensate for housing damage. Further, with the consent of the current legal owner of the property, payments may be made to occupants.

¶ 06 (iv) Cooked meals are provided through bulk procurement and preparation at safe centres or nearby locations with community support, reducing per-unit costs. At present, Rs. 600 per person per day is paid for cooked meals.

¶ 07 For dry rations, only essential food items are provided. Under the revised price schedule issued via Disaster Management Circular No. 01/2020 (ii) dated 05.06.2024, adequate dry-ration packs can be provided. Weekly payments currently effected are: - Single person: Rs. 1,800 - Family of two: Rs. 2,400 - Family of three: Rs. 2,800 - Family of four: Rs. 3,200 - Family of five: Rs. 3,600

¶ 08 (v) The NBRO property-damage cost estimate issued to District Secretaries on 09.09.2020 has been in use. With increases in construction material prices, NBRO has prepared revised estimates, which have been submitted for approval. Upon approval, the revised valuation framework will be implemented.

¶ 09 (b) Does not arise.

¶ 10 Additional clarifications: - By end 2024, all compensation due for fully assessed houses from 2017 has been paid. - Some payments are pending only where proposals referred by District Secretaries are yet to be received. For delays due to late assessments or documentation deficiencies, District Secretaries have been requested to submit the relevant proposals before 28.02.2025.