Salawa explosion: Angry residents blast compensation schemes
Although the explosion of the ammunition store at the Salawa army base on June 5 last year only claimed one life, the incident damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 houses. The Government set aside more than Rs 1.2 billion for compensation.
While rebuilding continues, compensation has caused anger, with some victims having rejected estimates of property damage done by Valuation Department officials.
Sriyakanthi Godagama lived in a house near the army camp. She told the Sunday Times that authorities had compensated many but the varying amounts has caused friction.
“Some people have fallen out with others over the fact that they had received more money. Some residents have even formed separate victim associations.”
Mrs. Godagama said compensation her family received was inadequate. The family had not been able to so far move back in to their home.
Compensation for damaged or destroyed vehicles is a another troubling issue.
Ms Godagama said her vehicle, which was fairly new, suffered considerable damage. Hers was among 49 vehicles that were damaged. “We keep going to the Assistant Government Agent’s Office. But, they tell us that no money has been allocated for damaged vehicles.”
She said this was unfair as insurance companies were only paying out a small portion and they had to bear most of the cost.
S.S. Miyanwala, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management said Rs.1,258.7 million had already been awarded as compensation for the Salawa disaster. Some 200 houses had suffered severe damage, he added. Owners of businesses have also been compensated.
Some have rejected their compensation packages. “They are not satisfied with the amounts they were awarded. Their appeals are currently being heard,” the secretary said.
Mr Miyanwala said the Ministry of Disaster Management did not handle the matter and the Finance Ministry had not made a separate allocation. He said since the vehicles were insured, it is likely that there are some complications.