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| Friday, 07 January 2005 |
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| Benefits package for tsunami victims by Nadira Gunatilleke The Government will introduce a special ration coupon system from January 15 to provide relief for the Tsunami victims. The main intention of introducing this system is providing relief for the victims effectively, Cabinet spokesman Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. Addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing held at the Government Information Department, Colombo, yesterday Minister Samaraweera said that the victims can obtain relief for the next three months from any co-operative shop in their areas by presenting the coupon. The Public administration and Local Government Ministry has also decided to provide a 12 month interest free salary advance as a loan for the Tsunami victimised public servants. A Cabinet decision has been taken to grant a sum equivalent to 12 times the monthly salary of affected public servants. If only essential items of the public servant had been damaged an interest free loan advance not exceeding Rs.50,000 will be granted. The loans will be free of the 40 per cent limitation stated in the Establishments Code. Arrangements will be made to complete the granting of these loans before April 1. The Government will also introduce a proper compensation scheme within the next two weeks for families who have lost the breadwinner. It will also introduce a financial package for Tsunami victims staying with their relatives or friends and victimised families who wish to stay with relatives or friends. The main intention of introducing this system is reducing the burden of relatives and friends who help the victims. In addition to this, the Government will introduce a 'friend-in-need' system where non-affected families (in Colombo and other parts of the country) can help affected families. The main objective of this system is letting affected families move out of the camps. Several affected families have already moved out and several other families have expressed their reluctance to stay in camps. Under this system, families with similar conditions (children of the same age, etc) and backgrounds will be introduced to each other. The Government will soon invite families for this program. |
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