From cash aid for homes and livelihoods to grants for farming, fishing, education and even temple restoration, Sri Lanka’s latest disaster relief circular lays out the most comprehensive support package yet for victims of the weather crisis.
The Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, has issued a special circular with immediate instructions to restore the lives of people affected by the sudden disaster situation caused by adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka. The circular has been sent to all Secretaries of Ministries, Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils, Heads of Departments, District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries to ensure rapid implementation of the government relief program.
Under the program designed to empower disaster-affected families, several direct cash assistance schemes have been approved. With the end of the emergency phase, every affected household will receive a one-time allowance of Rs. 25,000 per housing unit, regardless of ownership, to clean their homes and return to safe living conditions. A separate one-time allowance of Rs. 50,000 per housing unit has also been approved for the purchase of essential kitchen utensils and other basic household needs required for resettlement.
Families who have lost their homes due to landslides and floods, or whose houses are completely damaged and whose livelihoods have been disrupted, will receive monthly assistance for three months covering December 2025 and January and February 2026. The monthly allowance will be Rs. 25,000 for families with less than two members and Rs. 50,000 for larger families. In addition, families who must live in rented houses will receive a separate rental allowance. A monthly rental assistance of Rs. 25,000 will be paid for up to six months to house owners who have lost their homes and have no temporary place to settle until permanent housing is provided.
For agriculture recovery, the circular outlines compensation for destroyed cultivation lands. Paddy, grain, maize and field crop lands affected by the disaster will receive a re-cultivation allowance of Rs. 150,000 per hectare. Vegetable cultivation lands will receive a higher allowance of Rs. 200,000 per hectare. Livestock farmers will also receive assistance, with registered farm owners entitled to a grant of Rs. 200,000 per affected farm.
Small-scale economic recovery is a key feature of the new disaster relief scheme. A one-time grant of Rs. 200,000 per unit will be provided to restart individual, small and micro-businesses affected by the disaster. Fisherfolk whose boats were damaged will also receive compensation of up to a maximum of Rs. 400,000 per fishing boat to help them return to their livelihoods.
Special attention has been given to the education needs of displaced children. A one-time grant of Rs. 15,000 per school-going child will be paid to purchase school books, uniforms and essential learning materials. For commercial properties damaged due to the disaster, compensation of up to a maximum of Rs. 5,000,000 per unit will be paid based on formal damage assessments.
Housing reconstruction is one of the most significant aspects of the relief package. Families whose houses have been completely destroyed and are no longer fit for habitation will receive a grant of Rs. 5,000,000 per housing unit to construct a new house. If government land cannot be provided, a maximum allowance of Rs. 5,000,000 will also be granted to purchase suitable land for rebuilding. For partially damaged houses, repair assistance of up to Rs. 250,000 will be paid based on assessed damage.
For families that have suffered the ultimate tragedy, the allowance payable in the event of loss of life or total disability caused by the disaster will be Rs. 1,000,000 per person. The circular clarifies that these relief payments are limited to the emergency disaster situation declared under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2464/30 dated 28.11.2025. However, the advance payment of Rs. 50,000 for funeral expenses will continue and will not be deducted from the compensation awarded for loss of life.
The earlier allowance of Rs. 25,000 issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence on 2025.12.02 for restoring damaged houses to habitable condition will not be recovered from housing units that have already received it. The circular also states that once land is provided under this relief scheme, the original land will be formally acquired by the government. Implementing institutions have been instructed to maintain proper data records of beneficiaries and payments. The Treasury will provide the necessary financial provisions to institutions responsible for executing these relief measures.
A state of public emergency has been declared in Sri Lanka under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2464/30 dated 28.11.2025 due to the sudden disaster situation. In addition to household and livelihood assistance, religious institutions have also been included in the relief framework. The Department of Cultural Affairs will provide an allowance of Rs. 25,000 to clean temples and religious places affected by the disaster. A cabinet decision on this measure is expected this week, the President said while attending the District Coordination Committee meeting at the Uva Provincial Library Auditorium to review restoration efforts in the Badulla District and the development of essential infrastructure.
