The two senior citizens who said to give the million-rupee compensation offered by the government to someone else if they didn't want it.

A unique story has been reported from the Mahawa Divisional Secretariat regarding the return of a ten-lakh rupee compensation, awarded by the government for property damage caused by the recent 'Ditwa' cyclone, back to the government. This exemplary act was carried out by two elderly citizens who refused to accept the five-lakh rupee compensation each was entitled to.

They requested the authorities to use the money for the well-being of other people who were more severely affected and helpless.

The two individuals who decided to forgo their compensation, demonstrating great humanity, are eighty-year-old H.M.A. Rambanda, residing at 152 Makadawawa, and eighty-two-year-old R.I.B. Dingiri Amma, residing at 169 Maningamuwa. Although they also suffered property damage due to the adverse weather, they informed the Divisional Secretary in writing that the five-lakh rupee amount assessed by the government was unnecessary for them.

Commenting on this decision, the donors pointed out that even though they were affected by the cyclone, they possess the strength to recover. They also stated that they carried out essential repairs to their homes using the twenty-five thousand rupee advance initially provided by the government. They further emphasized that since there are extremely helpless people in society who have lost their entire lives and are starving, it would bring them great joy if these government funds, which are public money, were spent on those more severely affected than themselves.

Commenting on this incident, Mr. Nadun R. Sampath, the Divisional Secretary of Mahawa, stated that in a society where many compete to receive compensation, the humility of these two individuals, who even gave up money legally due to them for the sake of others, is an excellent example for the entire society. The Divisional Secretary expressed his gratitude for their donation of the remaining ten-lakh rupees back to the government, after they had met their immediate needs with the initial aid. He also mentioned that steps would be taken promptly to utilize these funds for other disaster relief activities in accordance with the prescribed state procedures.