Features

‘Office for Reparations finalising payments; all grants to be completed by end of March’

Published

1 year ago

2025/03/3

Easter Sunday attacks:

Interview with Dhara Wijayatilake,
Attorney-at-Law,
Chairperson,
The Office for Reparations,
on disbursements from the Easter Attack Victim Fund.

by Saman Indrajith

Q: How did the Office for Reparations set about making compensation payments to victims of the Easter Attack?

A: We don’t like to call these grants “compensation” because you can never really compensate victims in such tragic circumstances. We refer to these grants as monetary relief and in the context of the concept of “reparations”, monies are granted to assist victims in the process of restoring their normal lives.

In 2019, soon after the Easter Bomb attack, monies were paid out to victims from funds made available by the Government through the Consolidated Fund, in compliance with government circulars that were applicable to all such situations. The Cabinet had decided how much should be paid to each category of victims. There were two categories – Next of kin of those who had died, and those who had suffered injuries. These payments were made speedily and completed by about October 2019.

Thereafter, on an order of the Supreme Court in January 2023, the “Easter Attack 2019 Victim Fund” was established by the OR to receive monies ordered to be paid by respondents in certain Fundamental Rights applications. In compliance with the order of the Supreme Court, the OR formulated a scheme to grant monies from this Fund.

The sums ordered to be paid by the respondents did not come in all at once. The remittances came in stages. So, each time we received a sum that was adequate to disburse, we identified the most vulnerable victim category and made grants as per our priority policy. So, families of deceased and those permanently totally disabled, and severely injured, received grants on a priority basis.

When more money came in, we had enough to expand the grants to wider categories. We then formulated a Disbursement Policy to make grants.

The OR believes in transparency and in making relevant information available to the public, so all these schemes and the Policy and sums disbursed to the different categories were uploaded to our website in real time. We did not however reveal the identity and amounts disbursed to individuals to safeguard their privacy.

Q: How did you publicise the fact that grants were being given?

A: We did not need to publicise it because we were dealing with victims who were already in our database. We reached out to them. Everyone who was a victim and claimed compensation had submitted applications soon after the attack. There was wide publicity given at that time and the victims were identified also by the Divisional Secretaries. There were victims who had opted not to claim grants at the outset, and we did not pursue them.

Our database is not confined to one church or geographic location, but includes all victims including those affected by the attack at the Zion church in Batticaloa.

Q: Can you describe some of the features of your disbursement policy?

A: It is uploaded on our website but let me summarise. We identified the following support schemes to those who are victims due to the death of a parent or sibling or due to injury suffered by either a parent or is a direct victim of an injury –

· Grants to next of kin of deceased

· Grants to injured persons. We gave grants to those who had been medically certified to be permanently injured based on the degree of incapacity. We also wrote to all those temporarily injured to inquire if they had continuing medical needs. These requests supported by current medical reports are evaluated by a team of medical doctors who will recommend to us the degree of disability and the OR will make payments as per the scale we have identified.

· Grants to support secondary school education – 50 children were given grants to assist in defraying expenses to complete secondary school. All children are those who lost one or both parents or were direct victims who suffered serious injuries themselves.

· Grants to support Tertiary education – we have given grants to applicants who requested support. The OR is monitoring these grantees to ensure they stay on course and to provide support where needed. These grantees were also those who had lost one or both parents.

· Elders support – there are some elderly people who need support because someone they were dependent on, died in the attack. These are being considered.

· Entrepreneurship support – We will look at the feasibility of the identified project, the commitment to sustain a project and other relevant factors.

Q: There were other organisations that provided assistance. Did the OR consult those and take into account the relief provided by them?

A: No, we did not, for several reasons. Firstly, we proceeded on a needs-based approach and sought the information direct from each victim to assess their individual needs. We designed an Application Form for each scheme and distributed those. Also, no Organisation that has helped victims would have been willing to share that information with outside sources.

However, we worked closely with the office of His Eminence the Cardinal to share information that was useful to them and to us, to assess needs. They were also engaged in providing financial and other needs and so were we. So, we have an ongoing working arrangement and readily use each other’s information to ensure that the funds available are distributed in the most meaningful way to those most in need. That continues. They also know details of the circumstances of each victim engaged with their church and we find that information useful.

Q: Did the OR discuss the schemes with any other respondents?

A: Yes. We had a special meeting in January, 2025 to discuss these matters with representatives of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and representatives of His Eminence the Cardinal. This meeting was held on an order given by the Supreme Court. Both parties were represented at that meeting and we had a detailed discussion at which documents containing our Disbursement Policy, the Schemes, the methodology adopted, and a summary of disbursements as at that time were shared with them. In our documents submitted to the Hon. Attorney General to be filed in court we reported that fact that the meeting was held. Both parties expressed their complete satisfaction with the manner in which we were handling the disbursements.

Q: How much money came into the Victim Fund and how much has been paid out?

A: A total of Rs. 311 million came into the Fund from the respondents. The sum of Rs. 245 million that was referred to in court was the sum paid out as at January 31, 2025 which was the date by which we submitted our reports to the Hon. Attorney General. We have paid out a larger sum now.

As at the end of February we have made grants amounting to Rs. 250,633,000 million which is 80 % of the Fund. We’re currently finalizing the payments to the injured in consultation with the team of doctors, and also looking at payments to elders who need support. We plan to complete all grants by the end of March, 2025.

Q: An issue that came up at the hearing on the 27^th was that two counsel were not given copies of the detailed lists. Any comments on that?

A: Anything that will help them represent their clients best can be shared. I believe the Additional Solicitor General will now act on the court order.

Although the two counsel did not receive the lists, all details of the schemes, the manner of reaching out to victims and obtaining applications, etc., were discussed in detail at the January 2025 meeting attended by their juniors. There was plenty of opportunity to seek further clarifications if any were required.

It’s the policy of the OR to safeguard the privacy of the beneficiary. I’m sure Counsel will respect that, so we have no issue.

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Features

Political violence stalking Trump administration

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

A scene that unfolded during the shooting incident at the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. (BBC)

It would not be particularly revelatory to say that the US is plagued by ‘gun violence’. It is a deeply entrenched and widespread malaise that has come in tandem with the relative ease with which firearms could be acquired and owned by sections of the US public, besides other causes.

However, a third apparent attempt on the life of US President Donald Trump in around two and a half years is both thought-provoking and unsettling for the defenders of democracy. After all, whatever its short comings the US remains the world’s most vibrant democracy and in fact the ‘mightiest’ one. And the US must remain a foremost democracy for the purpose of balancing and offsetting the growing power of authoritarian states in the global power system, who are no friends of genuine representational governance.

Therefore, the recent breaching of the security cordon surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington at which President Trump and his inner Cabinet were present, by an apparently ‘Lone Wolf’ gunman, besides raising issues relating to the reliability of the security measures deployed for the President, indicates a notable spike in anti-VVIP political violence in particular in the US. It is a pointer to a strong and widespread emergence of anti-democratic forces which seem to be gaining in virulence and destructiveness.

The issues raised by the attack are in the main for the US’ political Right and its supporters. They have smugly and complacently stood by while the extremists in their midst have taken centre stage and begun to dictate the course of Right wing politics. It is the political culture bred by them that leads to ‘Lone Wolf’ gunmen, for instance, who see themselves as being repressed or victimized, taking the law into their own hands, so to speak, and perpetrating ‘revenge attacks’ on the state and society.

A disproportionate degree of attention has been paid particularly internationally to Donald Trump’s personality and his eccentricities but such political persons cannot be divorced from the political culture in which they originate and have their being. That is, “structural” questions matter. Put simply, Donald Trump is a ‘true son’ of the Far Right, his principal support base. The issues raised are therefore for the President as well as his supporters of the Right.

We are obliged to respect the choices of the voting public but in the case of Trump’s election to the highest public position in the US, this columnist is inclined to see in those sections that voted for Trump blind followers of the latter who cared not for their candidate’s suitability, in every relevant respect, and therefore acted irrationally. It would seem that the Right in the US wanted their candidate to win by ‘hook or by crook’ and exercise power on their behalf.

By making the above observations this columnist does not intend to imply that voting publics everywhere in the world of democracy cast their vote sensibly. In the case of Sri Lanka, for example, the question could be raised whether the voters of the country used their vote sensibly when voting into office the majority of Executive Presidents and other persons holding high public office. The obvious answer is ‘no’ and this should lead to a wider public discussion on the dire need for thoroughgoing voter education. The issue is a ‘huge’ one that needs to be addressed in the appropriate forums and is beyond the scope of this column.

Looking back it could be said that the actions of Trump and his die-hard support base led to the Rule of Law in the US being undermined as perhaps never before in modern times. A shaming moment in this connection was the protest march, virtually motivated by Trump, of his supporters to the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021, with the aim of scuttling the presidential poll result of that year. Much violence and unruly behaviour, as known, was let loose. This amounted to denigrating the democratic process and encouraging the violent take over of the state.

In a public address, prior to the unruly conduct of his supporters, Trump is on record as blaring forth the following: ‘We won this election and we won by a landslide’, ‘We will stop the steal’, ‘We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesn’t happen’, ‘If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.’

It is plain to see that such inflammatory utterances could lead impressionable minds in particular to revolt violently. Besides, they should have led the more rationally inclined to wonder whether their candidate was the most suitable person to hold the office of President.

Unfortunately, the latter process was not to be and the question could be raised whether the US is in the ‘safest pair of hands’. Needless to say, as events have revealed, Donald Trump is proving to be one of the most erratic heads of state the US has ever had.

However, the latest attempt on the life of President Trump suggests that considerable damage has been done to the democratic integrity of the US and none other than the President himself has to take on himself a considerable proportion of the blame for such degeneration, besides the US’ Far Right. They could be said to be ‘reaping the whirlwind.’

It is a time for soul-searching by the US Right. The political Right has the right to exist, so the speak, in a functional democracy but it needs to take cognizance of how its political culture is affecting the democratic integrity or health of the US. Ironically, the repressive and chauvinistic politics advocated by it is having the effect of activating counter-violence of the most murderous kind, as was witnessed at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Continued repressive politics could only produce more such incidents that could be self-defeating for the US.

Some past US Presidents were assassinated but the present political violence in the country brings into focus as perhaps never before the role that an anti-democratic political culture could play in unraveling the gains that the US has made over the decades. A duty is cast on pro-democracy forces to work collectively towards protecting the democratic integrity and strength of the US.

Features

22nd Anniversary Gala …action-packed event

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Skyliners: Shanaka Viswakula (bass), Mario Ranasuriya (lead guitar), Daryl D'Souza (keyboards) and Kushmin Balasuriya (drums)

The Editor-in-Chief of The Sri Lankan Anchorman, a Toronto-based monthly, celebrating Sri Lankan community life in Canada, is none other than veteran Sri Lankan journalist Dirk Tissera, who moved to Canada in 1997. His wife, Michelle, whom he calls his “tower of strength”, is the Design Editor.

According to reports coming my way, the paper has turned out to be extremely popular in Toronto.

In fact, The Sri Lankan Anchorman won a press award in Toronto for excellence in editorial content and visual presentation.

However, the buzz in the air in Canada, right now, is The Sri Lankan Anchorman’s 22nd Anniversary Gala, to be held on Friday, 12 June, 2026, at the J&J Swagat Banquet Convention Centre, in Toronto.

An action-packed programme has been put together for the night, featuring some of the very best artistes in the Toronto scene.

The Skylines, who are classified as ‘the local musical band in Toronto’, will headline the event.

Dirk Tissera and wife Michelle: Supporting Sri Lanka-Canada community events, in Toronto, since launching The Anchorman
in 2002

They have performed and backed many legendary Sri Lanka singers.

According to Dirk, The Skylines can belt out a rhythm with gusto … be it Western, Sinhala or Tamil hits.

Also adding sparkle to the evening will be the legendary Fahmy Nazick, who, with his smooth and velvety vocals, will have the crowd on the floor.

Fahmy who was a household name, back in Sri Lanka, will be flying down from Virginia, USA.

He has captivated audiences in Sri Lanka, the Middle East and North America, and this will be his fourth visit to Toronto – back by popular demand,

Cherry DeLuna, who is described by Dirk as a powerhouse, also makes her appearance on stage and is all set to stir up the tempo with her cool and easy delivery.

“She’s got a great voice and vocal range that has captivated audiences out here”, says Dirk.

Chamil Welikala, said to be one of the hottest DJs in town, will be spinning his magic … in English, Sinhala, Tamil and Latin.

Both Jive and Baila competitions are on the cards among many other surprises on the night of 12 June.

This is The Anchorman’s fifth annual dance in a row – starting from 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 – and both Dirk and Michelle, and The Anchorman, have always produced elegant social events in Toronto.

“We intend to knock this one out of the park,” the duo says, adding that Western music and Sinhala and Tamil songs is something they’ve always delivered and the crowd loves it.

“We have always supported Sri Lanka-Canada community events, in Toronto, since launching The Anchorman, in 2002, and we intend to keep it that way.”

No doubt, there will be a large crowd of Sri Lankans, from all communities, turning up, on 12 June, to support Dirk, Michelle and The Anchorman.

Features

Face Pack for Radiant Skin

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

* Apple and Orange:

Blend a few apple and orange pieces together. Add to it a pinch of turmeric and one tablespoon of honey. Apply it to the face and neck and rinse off after 30 minutes. This face pack is suitable for all skin types.

According to experts, apple is one of the best fruits for your skin health with Vitamin A, B complex and Vitamin C and minerals, while, with the orange peel, excessive oil secretion can be easily balanced.

* Mango and Curd:

Ripe mango pulp, mixed with curd, can be rubbed directly onto the skin to remove dirt and cleanse clogged pores. Rinse off after a few minutes.

Yes, of course, mango is a tasty and delicious fruit and this is the mango season in our part of the world, and it has extra-ordinary benefits to skin health. Vitamins C and E in mangoes protect the skin from the UV rays of the sun and promotes cell regeneration. It also promotes skin elasticity and fights skin dullness and acne, while curd, in combination, further adds to it.

* Grapes and Kiwi:

Take a handful of grapes and make a pulp of it. Simultaneously, take one kiwi fruit and mash it after peeling its skin. Now mix them and add some yoghurt to it. Apply it on your face for few minutes and wash it off.

Here again experts say that kiwi is the best nutrient-rich fruit with high vitamin C, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, while grapes contain flavonoids, which is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage. This homemade face pack acts as a natural cleanser and slows down the ageing process.