Government to pay compensation to victims of boat accident

Feb 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers today granted approval to the government to pay compensation to the families of the victims of the recent boat disaster at Katukurunda sea area in Kalutara district.

Accordingly Rs. 100,000 will be paid to the families of each victim who has died while Rs. 25,000 each will be given to those who were injured and admitted to the hospital following the tragedy.

Twelve people died and 33 were injured when their fishing boat capsized in the rough seas.

The boat was part of a set of boats left Beruwela fishing harbor to attend a Church feast in Kalutara. The overcrowded fishing boat was carrying 40 people when it capsized.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera informed Parliament today that the government imposed a new regulation banning fishing boats from using for passenger transport. If fishing boats are used for this purpose it is deemed to be illegal and their licenses will be revoked.

The government will not take any responsibility with regard to those incidents in future, the Minister stressed pointing out that this is the first time such compensation is made for the victims of a capsized boat disaster.

Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa put forward the proposal to pay compensations to the victims of the disaster.