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.
Allegations have surfaced that compensation for some of the damaged houses had been paid without conducting a proper valuation. Additionally, some MPs have claimed that they received only a lump sum payment for the damages, which they believe does not accurately reflect the true extent of their losses.
The violence that led to the destruction of these properties occurred in the aftermath of attacks on peaceful protesters by supporters of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). These attacks took place outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face, just hours after former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his resignation on 9 May 2022. The unrest that followed these attacks resulted in significant property damage for many MPs.
Extent of the damage
Questions have been raised about the fairness and transparency of the compensation process implemented by the Government for these MPs.
According to reports, nearly 80 MPs, with more than 70 allied to the Government, had their houses attacked during the violence. In a tragic incident, SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala was killed amidst the clashes.
A list released by the Chief Government Whip’s Office detailed the properties of Government MPs damaged by unruly mobs during the unrest.
Among the MPs who suffered property damage are notable figures such as Mahinda Rajapaksa, Dinesh Gunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Prasanna Ranatunga, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, Vidura Wickramanayaka, Shehan Semasinghe, Kanaka Herath, Kanchana Wijesekera, Thenuka Vidanagamage, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Channa Jayasumana, Nasir Ahmed, Arundika Fernando, Sanath Nishantha, Tharaka Balasuriya, Indika Anuruddha, Siripala Gamalath, Anuradha Jayaratne, D.V. Chanaka, Sisira Jayakody, Prasanna Ranaweera, D.B. Herath, Seetha Arambepola, Rohana Dissanayake, Shantha Bandara, Piyal Nishantha de Silva, Ashoka Priyantha, Sumith Udukumbura, Akila Saliya Ellawala, Lalith Ellawala, Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, Nalaka Kottegoda, Kokila Gunawardena, Milan Jayatilleke, Isuru Dodangoda, Premnath Dolawatte, K.H. Nandasena, and S.M. Chandrasena.
Additionally, the properties of Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Namal Rajapaksa, Roshan Ranasinghe, Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Jayantha Ketagoda, Amarakeerthi Athukorala, Sampath Athukorala, Janaka Thisakuttiarachchi, Piyum Anupa Pasqual, Chinthaka Amal Mayadunna, Nipuna Ranawaka, Ali Sabri Rahim, Ajith Rajapaksa, Gunathilake Rajapaksa, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, Rajika Wickramasinghe, Sahan Pradeep Chithana, D. Weerasinghe, Kapila Athukorala, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Gunapala Ratnasekera, Chamal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardana, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, C.B. Rathnayake, Keheliya Rambukwella, Samanpriya Herath, Lalith Varna Kumara Manju, Chandima Weerakkody, Nimal Lanza, and Piyankara Jayaratne were severely damaged by the anti-Government mobs.
Questions over compensation
On 18 May 2022, then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced to Parliament that houses would be provided to MPs as a temporary measure. However, he clarified that the ownership of these houses would not be transferred to the MPs and would remain with the State. This decision was made in response to the widespread damage and the need for immediate housing solutions for the affected parliamentarians.
Some MPs who wished to be anonymous highlighted the ongoing dissatisfaction among affected MPs regarding the compensation process. Many feel that the valuations do not accurately reflect the full extent of their losses, particularly for personal items and enhancements made to their properties. They also claim that some MPs have been paid compensation above the values of their lost properties.
The Government’s reliance on the Valuation Department and adherence to the approved procedures underscores a systematic approach to compensation, yet it leaves room for debate over the adequacy and fairness of the outcomes.
Last year, it was reported that the compensation amount for the houses and properties of parliamentarians burned by protesters had increased to Rs. 1,414 million.
A total of 31 MPs who suffered such damage have received Rs. 714 million as full compensation. Additionally, it has been decided to fully compensate 13 other parliamentarians, with the estimated amount for these 13 being Rs. 700 million. Consequently, an additional Rs. 200 rupees will be required to provide full compensation for these damages.
Moreover, the Government has disbursed Rs. 519 million as partial compensation to 73 local politicians and civilians who were not Members of Parliament, whose properties were also destroyed during the unrest.
In this context, dissident SLPP MP from the Galle District Chandima Weerakkody shared his personal experience with The Sunday Morning. He recounted that his mother’s house in Galle had been attacked during the riots. The house, originally owned by his mother, had been renovated by him several years ago, with new additions attached to the old structure.
“We received compensation only for the reconstruction of the damaged house,” Weerakkody emphasised. “Nothing was received for the lost jewellery, clothes belonging to me and my wife, and other properties damaged during the riot.”
He expressed serious concerns regarding the valuation process of the lost properties. Despite having fully renovated the house, he noted that the compensation only covered part of the damages.
Addressing these concerns, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe explained to The Sunday Morning that compensation was based on valuations conducted by the Valuation Department, following a Cabinet decision.
“Some MPs are not happy with the valuations, but it is what the department had done. Compensation was paid by the Treasury based on the valuations approved by the department," Semasinghe stated.
Payments already made: Public Administration Min.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Office for Reparations Chairperson Dhara Wijethilake said the compensation for MPs was not handled by the office, instead being managed by a separate committee operated under the Ministry of Public Administration.
However, Public Administration Ministry Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told The Sunday Morning that the payments had already been made to all MPs who had claimed compensation based on the valuations given by the Government Valuation Department.
For some claims, where the houses had been insured, the compensation had been paid by deducting the insurance value, he said.
Responding to the concerns raised by MPs that some of their properties were undervalued, Yasaratne stressed that the amounts paid through the Treasury funds had been valued by the Government Valuation Department and that they were unable to deviate from the department’s decisions.