More than Rs 230 m spent as compensation for victims of Easter Sunday attacks

The government has spent more than Rs 230 million so far to provide compensation for Easter Sunday attack victims, the Prime Minister's office said today (Jun 25).

According to the Premier's office, more than Rs 180 million had been granted as compensation to famillies of victims. 

Around Rs 57 million have been paid as compensation for those who sustained injuries in the attacks, according to a report which set out the compensation paid as at June 21, 2019. 

A total of 258 persons had died while 481 persons were injured in the terror attacks across eight places in the country on April 21. 

Rs 1 million has been granted as compensation on behalf of every person who was killed in the attacks while those injured were granted Rs 500,000 each. According to the report, around 150 victims are yet to receive their compensation.

Meanwhile, the government has also released Rs 25 million as advanced payment for the renovation of the three churches which were targetted and destroyed in the bombings.

The St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya and the St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade have received Rs 10 million each while the Zion Church in Batticaloa has received Rs 5 million, the Prime Minister's office noted.