Concerns have been raised regarding the valuation process for the houses owned by Members of Parliament (MPs) who lost their properties during the violent incidents of 9 May 2022, which erupted following an attack on peaceful ‘GotaGoGama’ protesters at Galle Face.
Chief Government Whip and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in Parliament yesterday (06) that 43 Parliamentarians have obtained compensation amounting to Rs.1,224 million from the Government as damages incurred to their residences and properties.
It has also been revealed that some MPs had even pressurised District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats to inflate assessments of damages caused to their properties, he said. Even in the event of a natural disaster, the maximum compensation that can be paid for victims for complete property damage is only Rs.2.5 million. But this shows how those in power at a time abused their power to exact compensation as they wished,” he added.
Although the President’s Fund does not provide financial grants for ear drum damage, one MP who had a such condition had obtained monies from the President’s Fund claiming to be a heart patient. The public has given us the power to change this political culture. And we will definitely change this,” he added.
The media minister told Parliament that they have claimed massive compensations by influencing government officials to overestimate damages caused to their houses.