New compensation package to convince relocation from landslide zones – Minister

The compensation amount has been increased to Rs.10 million, up from the previous Rs.1.4 million

By Ajith Siriwardana   

People in landslide prone areas have been reluctant to move out as they have been given only Rs. 400,000 as compensation to build a house and another Rs. one million to purchase a land   

Claiming that people in landslide prone areas have been reluctant to move out as the compensation was not sufficient, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedi said yesterday the government was expecting that the people will now move out as a sufficient compensation package was proposed by the government.   

He told the Daily Mirror that people in landslide prone areas have been given only Rs. 400,000 as compensation to build a house and another Rs. one million to purchase a land during previous governments. He said the government has proposed a sufficient compensation package which includes Rs. 5 million to purchase a land and another Rs. 5 million to construct a house.  

“With this compensation, we hope people will now move out of landslide prone areas,” he said.   

The Minister said the environment Ministry has initiated discussions to formulate a mechanism, which is long overdue, to mitigate natural disasters such as floods and land slides in the country.   

He said a well-coordinated mechanism will be in place with other relevant institutions such as the Disaster Management Centre (DMC),Meteorology Department and added that assistance of international organisations will also be sought in the effort.   

The Minister said a Sri Lankan delegation is currently in Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 7) is being held in Nairobi, Kenya   

The Minister said there have been no proper mechanism introduced by previous governments to mitigate natural disasters whereas there have been some isolated projects.   

He said previous governments have not found lasting solutions to the issues faced by people in landslide prone areas where they have only been given temporary solutions until the disaster wears out.   

“People who were affected by landslides in 2011 in the Kegalle District are still facing issues. They are still in partially built houses,” he said.