The government yesterday started paying compensation to those whose houses and business places were damaged due to recent unrest in five Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kandy district.
Sixty six householders and 65 businessmen received total grant of Rs.9.8 million as compensation under the first phase.
Under this compensation scheme every householder will receive Rs. 50,000 each and every businessman will also receive Rs. 100,000 each as compensation under the first phase.
The Government has made arrangements to pay the compensation in full after the assessment process is completed and the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement has already received 600 applications for compensation. State Minister of Rehabilitation and Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs M. L. M. Hisbullah said that all applicants will be duly compensated.
He said that his ministry will open an office every Monday at the Kandy District Secretariat to assist the people affected by the recent unrest in the Kandy district.
The State Minister added that every religious place of worship which was damaged by the violence in Kandy will be granted compensation of Rs. 1 million each and additional funds will also be released for the renovation of such religious places, after obtaining Cabinet approval.