(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says steps will be taken to provide further compensation through the Office of Reparations to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in the future as well.
He said the government is even prepared to cover the total cost if the injured require treatment abroad.
The Premier noted that a compensation of Rs. 1 million for each death due to the attack and a maximum of Rs. 500,000 for each person injured had been paid while Rs. 250 million has been allocated for the purpose.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government will continue to provide financial assistance to those who need further compensation in accordance with the recommendations of the Office of the Reparations. He said that a special fund would be set up for the children who were orphaned by the Easter Sunday attack.
Speaking at the Graduation Event of Community Leaders of the National Peace Council on Tuesday at the BMICH, the Prime Minister said the government should work towards creating an all-religious council to discuss the religious issues of the country.
“If we are given the advice of the religious leaders, we can formulate legislation to create an all-religious council,” he added.
Prime Minister Wickramasinghe emphasizing that Transitional Justice is integral to reconciliation said each country has to implement its own mechanisms to achieve reconciliation among its different communities.
The Premier thanked all those who provided information about the people involved in the Easter Sunday attacks, especially, the Muslim Community.
“Muslim community in particular were very supportive. Before we even made any requests to the Muslims, they asked us to make laws to regulate madrassa schools.”
The Premier said a large number of people have been arrested during the investigations into the April 21 attacks and the Attorney General has been instructed to release persons who can be released and take legal action on those who have violated the criminal law.
The National Peace Council’s Graduation event of Community Leaders under the theme “Empowering Communities on Transitional Justice” has capacitated 35 master trainers, which in turn have successfully taught the concept of Transitional Justice to more than 200 leaders of community-based organizations. Through these leaders, more than 2,500 community members are expected to be reached.
At the occasion, the members of Kandy District Inter Religious Committee of NPC handed over the report of Truth Finding Citizen’s Commission on Kandy anti- Muslim riots to the Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe.
Many Religious leaders, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Parliamentarian Mahinda Amaraweera and National Peace Council Chairman Dr. Joe William were also present.
