The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a three-month extension of the monthly housing rental allowance paid to families who lost their homes to landslides and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah last year.
The extension allows affected households to remain in temporary rented accommodation until permanent houses are built at safer sites under the government’s ongoing resettlement programme, Ada Derana reported.
Under the revised terms, homeowners who lost their houses and have no alternative place to settle will receive a monthly rental allowance of Rs. 25,000 for a maximum of nine months — up from the previous six-month limit. The change amends Serial No. 04 of Budget Circular No. 08/2025, dated December 5, 2025.
Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma issued the circular informing ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, department heads, district secretaries and divisional secretaries of the amendment. All other provisions of the original circular remain unchanged, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.
Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka late last year, unleashing widespread flooding and landslides that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of families, many of whom remain in temporary accommodation. Hiru News also reported the Cabinet’s approval of the extended allowance.
