• Some MPs receive compensation, some pending
• 68 MPs receive houses on rent at Viyathpura 

The Government Valuation Department has revealed that it has estimated the damages for 437 houses damaged on 9 May 2022 following the violence that erupted during the ‘Aragalaya’ people’s protest, where protesters targeted the homes and properties of ruling-party lawmakers after an attack on peaceful protesters. 

In May 2022, the tense situation that occurred at the ‘GotaGoGama’ after pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa supporters attacked the protesters led to the destruction of many houses of ruling lawmakers, with one notable incident being the ancestral home of the Rajapaksas in Medamulana in Hambantota being set on fire by a group of protesters. 

Further, the houses of several Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs were attacked by the protesters and some were set ablaze. 

As a result of a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi on 7 November 2023, the Government Valuation Department has released information on the houses destroyed during the violence unleashed on 9 May 2022.

Accordingly, identifying the total number of houses damaged at 437, the total amount estimated by the Valuation Department for damages stands at Rs. 1,744,919,541.

Despite attempts by The Sunday Morning to clarify the information provided via the RTI request, Chief Valuer A.S.W.K. Nanayakkara directed inquiries to Additional Chief Valuer W. Christine E. Perera, who said that further information could be shared once an RTI request was filed or at a physical meeting.  

Efforts at compensation

Ministry of Public Administration Parliamentary Affairs Division Additional Secretary R.M.N.E.K. Ranasinghe told The Sunday Morning that payments for some damages of MPs’ houses were yet to be made, noting that certain MPs were yet to collect the payments. However, she too instructed that an RTI request be sent for further information. 

Meanwhile, Urban Development Authority (UDA) Deputy Director General – Real Estate and Land Management E.A.C. Piyashantha said that as per a Cabinet decision, 68 MPs who had requested housing had received residences at Viyathpura on rent after having signed agreements. He added that this housing had been provided on a temporary basis until 31 December, and that the time period could either be extended or the MPs could vacate the residences once they received compensation.  

As per the estimations of the Government Valuation Department, at Rs. 95,880,000, the damage to MP Keheliya Rambukwella’s Kandy residence stands as the highest valuation. The former Minister’s house in Bahirawakanda was set on fire by protesters at the height of the unrest. 

Other highly valued properties include those of Polwattage Lakshman Perera’s at Rs. 66,700,000, MP Nimal Lanza’s at Rs. 58,172,300, MP Gamini Lokuge’s at Rs. 57,400,000, Dambulla Mayor H.H.A. Jaliya Opatha’s at Rs. 48,600,000, and Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s Rs. 48,510,000. 

Among those who have multiple properties damaged is MP Johnston Fernando, who appears to have had a total of 10 properties under his name destroyed, amounting to a total of Rs. 69,854,000 in estimated damages. 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who saw several of his properties destroyed, has been allocated a total estimate of Rs. 25,020,600 for his various properties, such as the Carlton Preschool in Beliatta, D.A. Rajapaksa Statue in Medamulana, Medamulana Bungalow in Weeraketiya, and Carlton Estate in Weeraketiya. 

Other members of the Rajapaksa family who have sustained damages include Shasheendra Rajapaksa (Rs. 11,000,000), Shiranthi Rajapaksa (Rs. 56,350), and Chamal Rajapaksa (Rs. 4,672,600). 

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has received a valuation of Rs. 10,068,250 while Duminda Dissanayake has been given a valuation of Rs. 25,860,000 for their respective properties in Anuradhapura. 

Gnanawathi Jayasooriya, commonly known as Gnana Akka, who was targeted during the protests, has reportedly sustained damages worth Rs. 26,786,913. The residence and shrine of Gnana Akka were destroyed by some protesters in Anuradhapura. 

Some other MPs and Ministers included in the valuation list are MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena who is estimated to have suffered damages worth Rs. 2,600,500 for a property in Panadura, MP Nalaka Godahewa whose property damage is estimated at Rs. 30,911,000, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna’s at Rs. 289,000, Minister Ramesh Pathirana’s at Rs. 26,416,500, Minister Bandula Gunawardane’s at Rs. 1,780,000, and MP Wimal Weerawansa’s at Rs. 2,954,000. 

The list also includes damages to institutions such as the Moratuwa Municipal Council, Moratuwa Divisional Secretariat, Moratuwa Railway Station, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, and Avant Garde. 

Meanwhile, SLPP MP Samanpriya Herath, whose damages the Valuation Department has estimated at Rs. 8,353,551, told The Sunday Morning that while payment had been made for the houses of MPs, the compensation was not sufficient. 

“While payment has been made, we have not received sufficient compensation for the damages caused to our properties,” he said, pointing out that the value of certain possessions which had been damaged could not be estimated. “We have also appealed to the President regarding this, but there has been no further action in this regard.”