News
Govt has paid Rs 225 mn as compensation to families of those killed in Easter terror attacks
By Saman Indrajith
The Sri Lankan state had paid Rs 225 million to the families of those killed in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks as compensation, Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament yesterday (12).
Responding to a question posed by an Opposition MP, the Minister said a scholarship scheme had also been introduced for the children of the Easter Sunday bomb victims.
The Minister said the state has paid a million rupees each for seven children who have lost their parents.These children were recommended by ‘Seth Sarana,’ the social welfare arm of the Sri Lankan Catholic Church, he said.
These are children who lost their lives at Kochchikade and Katuwapitiya churches, the minister added.
Ranatunga mentioned that the government has identified two qualifying children for the compensation scheme among victims of the Zion Church in Batticaloa. However, as Seth Sarana has not recommended compensation, these children have not yet received payment.
The Minister said the government has appointed grassroots officials to inquire into the wellbeing of these children.Over 260 people were killed in the suicide blasts in several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on 21 April 2019.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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