A fresh government push promises lasting flood prevention, faster compensation, and agricultural recovery in Anuradhapura as authorities move to rebuild lives and prevent future disasters.
Minister of Trade and Cooperatives Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced that a comprehensive program will be prepared and implemented within January to investigate and address issues related to vegetable and paddy cultivation in the Anuradhapura district. The initiative will also focus on housing, resettlement, and long-term disaster mitigation, with discussions planned at the Divisional Secretariat level involving relevant officials.
The Minister made these remarks while addressing the media after the Anuradhapura District Disaster Relief Committee meeting held yesterday. Speaking on the government’s approach, Mr. Samarasinghe said, “We are working to restore the lives of the people in the Anuradhapura district so that they can live happily and in a way that such disasters do not happen again. We are working to restore the lives of the people by minimizing the conditions that occurred with the disaster and the post-disaster situation. The rebuilding project is being added to the Anuradhapura district and making the people live happier again.”
He confirmed that more than 90 percent of crop damage compensation in the district has already been paid. Assessments related to fully damaged and partially damaged houses are currently underway, while arrangements have also been made to resettle families displaced by the floods.
The Minister acknowledged that there had been issues concerning the payment of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 15,000 compensation grants. He stated that all Divisional Secretaries and relevant state officials have agreed to resolve these payment delays by January 15, ensuring relief reaches affected families without further obstacles.
In addition, the Tri Forces, Police, and Civil Defence Services have pledged their support to help cultivate previously uncultivated lands in the Anuradhapura district. They have also committed to completing two long delayed central irrigation projects, which are expected to be finalized within the next few days, strengthening agricultural resilience and flood control in the region.
