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Financial Aid for Religious Sites
Maximum financial assistance caps based on the level of damage sustained by religious institutions.
Primary Sources
Cyclone Ditwah : Cabinet approves interim housing and religious site ...
The government has decided to launch two major relief programs to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah; an interim housing project for displaced families and a reconstruction program for damaged religious sites. Under the first initiative, an interim housing construction project will be implemented for 1,000 families who lost their homes in the cyclone and are currently living in safe centres, tents, and partly damaged houses across four districts. Official data show that the cyclone destroyed 6,088 houses and partially damaged more than 115,000. As of 22 April 2026, 494 families remained in 20 safe centres in Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla, while others continued to reside in temporary shelters and damaged homes. Authorities had earlier introduced a monthly rental allowance of Rs. 25,000 for families who lost their homes due to landslides and floods, but securing rental houses in the affected areas has proven difficult. To address this, the Cabinet approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Defence, to construct interim housing units based on plans prepared by the National Building Research Organization, with the labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Army. The project aims to provide stable living conditions until permanent housing solutions are completed. In addition, the government has decided to rebuild and repair religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah to ensure worship activities can resume without disruption. The Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, together with the Department of Religious Affairs, has planned a coordinated effort to restore temples, churches, and other places of worship affected by the disaster. Under the Cabinet‑approved proposal, religious sites that were completely destroyed will be rebuilt at their original locations, with priority given to constructing monks’ residences, Dharma halls, main temples, churches, sanitary facilities, and essential water and electricity infrastructure. Relief up to Rs. 7.5 million will be provided for such construction. For religious sites partially damaged, up to Rs. 5 million will be allocated for repairs, while minor damages will also be addressed through restoration work. (Newswire)
Cabinet nod to grant Rs. 7.5 million to reconstruct places of worship ...
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to provide assistance for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of places of worship affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated this while addressing the media briefing convened to announce Cabinet decisions today (28). He stated that an integrated programme has been formulated by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, together with the departments related to religious affairs under its purview, to provide relief for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of all affected places of worship and to restore their normal religious activities. Under the initiative, financial assistance of up to a maximum of Rs. 7.5 million will be provided for religious places that have been destroyed but are suitable for reconstruction at the same location, with priority given to the construction of residential quarters (Avasa), Preaching Halls (Dharma Shala), Main Kovil, Church, sanitation facilities and provision of water and electricity. For religious institutions that have been partially damaged, financial assistance of up to a maximum of Rs. 5 million will be granted for restoration purposes. Meanwhile, financial assistance will also be provided for religious institutions that have sustained minor damages to carry out necessary rehabilitation. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to provide the assistance for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the affected religious venues.
President Directs Faster Compensation Payments for Cyclone ... - Newsfirst
During the meeting, the President instructed that the government‑approved compensation of Rs. 500,000 for partially damaged houses be disbursed to all eligible beneficiaries before the end of ...
India Intensifies Relief Efforts In Cyclone Hit Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, the death toll from severe weather triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to 153, while at least 191 people remain missing as rescue operations intensify, the leading Lankan ...
