December 04, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure that assistance reaches every household struck by the recent calamity, stressing that no community should face setbacks due to bureaucratic or financial holdups.
According to the President’s Media Division, state officials have been instructed to submit all required information without delay so that compensation can be processed swiftly for those who meet the criteria. The directive also underscores the importance of gathering precise data, as accurate records will guide both immediate relief measures and longer-term recovery plans.
These comments came during a high-level discussion convened to speed up the delivery of support to families and businesses hit hardest by the disaster. The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat and chaired by the President, brought together ministry secretaries and senior figures from the Ministry of Finance to map out a streamlined approach.
In a bid to avoid the administrative bottlenecks that often emerge after large-scale emergencies, a dedicated team has been appointed to work outside the usual procedural boundaries. Officials say the unit will operate with an accelerated mandate, ensuring that verification and distribution processes proceed smoothly and without unnecessary red tape.
The President also called for meticulous assessments of those displaced, the number of affected schoolchildren, and the extent of damage to homes across impacted districts. Particular emphasis was placed on the agricultural sector, with instructions to document the losses in paddy fields, vegetable plots, livestock, and other vital rural assets.
During the discussion, participants outlined clear procedures and target timelines for channelling assistance to each affected group, with the aim of restoring stability and helping communities regain their footing as efficiently as possible.
