The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has issued Budget Circular No. 08/2025 introducing an extensive relief and empowerment program for families and sectors affected by the recent disaster declared under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2464/30 on 28 November 2025. The program includes multiple cash allowances aimed at supporting devastated households, farmers, fisheries, schools and small businesses, with payments commencing from December 2025.
According to the circular signed by Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, families whose homes were flooded or damaged due to landslides will receive a one-time cleaning and resettlement allowance of Rs. 25,000 per housing unit, regardless of homeownership status. An additional Rs. 50,000 allowance will be granted for purchasing essential kitchen utensils required to restart household life.
Households that have lost their homes or cannot continue employment due to damage will receive monthly livelihood support of Rs. 25,000 for families with two or fewer members and Rs. 50,000 for larger families, payable for three months (December 2025 to February 2026). A separate monthly rental allowance of Rs. 25,000 for up to six monthswill be provided to displaced homeowners until new houses are built.
A significant component of the relief is directed to the agriculture sector, which suffered extensive crop devastation. Farmers impacted by the storm will receive a one-time payment of Rs. 150,000 per hectare for paddy, grain, maize and other field crops, and Rs. 200,000 per hectare for damaged or replanted vegetable crops. Livestock farm owners registered in the sector are also eligible for Rs. 200,000 per farm.
Support is also allocated to revive small enterprises impaired by the disaster. The government will provide Rs. 200,000 per unit for micro and small businesses to recommence operations. Fishermen whose boats were destroyed will receive compensation up to Rs. 400,000 per vessel, while schoolchildren affected by the floods will receive Rs. 15,000 each to purchase clothing and school supplies. Additionally, affected business premises will receive up to Rs. 5 million, based on a damage assessment.
For houses completely destroyed, the Finance Ministry has approved Rs. 5 million to build a new house, or Rs. 5 million to purchase land and build, where government land is unavailable. Partial house repairs will be funded up to Rs. 2.5 million, depending on assessment results. Families who lost a member or have relatives disabled due to the disaster will receive Rs. 1 million per affected individual.
The Treasury has instructed Divisional Secretariats and relevant authorities, including the Ministries of Defence, Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry and Animal Production, to maintain formal beneficiary records and facilitate smooth disbursement. Funding provisions will be supplied directly through the Treasury to expedite implementation.
The circular further clarifies that no duplicate payments will be made for relief already granted under previous emergency resettlement advances.
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