PM to table cabinet proposal to set-up children's fund for victims of terror attacks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will table a cabinet proposal tomorrow (Jun 04) to set-up a Children's Fund for the child victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, the Prime Minister's office said today.

The government is expected to contribute Rs 100 million, while Rs 400 million will be introduced to the fund as donations, with total contributions for the fund amounting to Rs 500 million.

According to the Prime Minister's proposal children who became orphaned or handicapped would be assisted through this special children's fund.

A special committee will also be appointed by the Prime Minister to supervise and carry out the activities of the Fund, the Prime Minister's office said in a press release.

The release noted that the government was also taking steps to bear the cost incurred by the terror attack victims who required treatment overseas.

Compensation has already been granted to the families of 174 victims who were killed and also 226 injured persons, the release noted.

A nine Perch land belonging to the Ports Authority has also been handed over for the expansion of the St. Anthony's Church in Kotahena which was one of the prime target in the suicide bombings.