Vajira: 'Current Compensation is 'Magic' to Those Who Haven't Seen Money, But We Distributed More in Our Time'

 A certain degree of public appreciation has emerged recently regarding the compensation scheme provided by the current government to people affected by adverse weather conditions. Although some political activists representing the opposition have even expressed their satisfaction with this government program,

Former United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament, Mr. Vajira Abeywardena, has presented a completely different view to the media.

He stated that the attempt to portray the current amount of money being distributed as an unprecedented sum in history might appear like magic to those who have never seen such money, and he sympathizes with them.

Analyzing the current situation in comparison to the disaster situations that occurred during Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe's tenure as Prime Minister, the former MP recalled that the government provided significant financial contributions for the reconstruction of tea factories affected by disasters at that time. He pointed out that during that period, large sums of money, such as one hundred, two hundred, and three hundred lakhs of rupees, were provided to restore destroyed tea factories, and these were given as non-repayable grants, not as loans.

Recalling past memories of the major floods in 2003 and 2016, Mr. Vajira Abeywardena described how, when observed from above, entire areas had turned into reservoirs, with even the roofs of houses submerged. He stated that these disaster conditions severely affected 17 districts, including Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Kegalle. The former MP further emphasized that while the current compensation might evoke a strange feeling among groups unfamiliar with large sums of money, it is not surprising when compared to the massive financial interventions made during the previous United National Party administration.