The government, at a meeting held at the Disaster Management Ministry yesterday, decided to begin a valuation of the damaged property today (17) – the final report of which will be available in five days.
At the meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena it was also decided to provide relief and assistance to the affected families.
It was also decided that full compensation would be paid for the victims.
A press release by Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardene had said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had contacted the Home Affairs Ministry via telephone and given instructions. He had also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
PM Wickremsinghe had also instructed the minister to inform the public that this tragedy took place at a time when the government was taking steps to remove this garbage dump.
President Sirisena has instructed the process is expedited.
Meanwhile Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed his condolences to the victims and assured assistance to solve this issue.
A team of experts from Japan is expected to visit Sri Lanka to help tackle the garbage issue.
- Govt. Information Department