The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) on Monday launched a digital Compensation Management System and a Community Inquiry Mechanism for survivors of Cyclone Ditwah, replacing manual claims procedures and giving affected families a single online channel to file requests and track them.
The launch was held at the BMICH in the presence of Deputy Defence Minister, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, in a joint initiative funded by the Government of Norway with technical support from UNICEF Sri Lanka and UN Volunteers, Newswire reported.
The new platform allows survivors — many of whom lost homes and livelihoods to the November cyclone — to file compensation requests online through their Grama Niladhari officers, removing the need for repeated trips to government agencies. The Community Inquiry Mechanism lets affected residents submit queries via a QR code or the 0716 807 807 hotline, which is operational on weekdays from 9am to 4pm in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Each query carries a unique reference code so claimants can track follow-up.
“In a crisis, immediate response is crucial. These digitised systems transform our ability to act quickly, providing us with the precise tools needed to meet the urgent needs of our people,” NDRSC Senior Assistant Secretary Namal Liyanage said. UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka Emma Brigham said the platforms “deliver dignity, speed, and fairness” to affected families. UN Volunteers Sri Lanka Country Coordinator Sharmalee Jayasinghe said 34 UN Volunteers — ICT specialists and community volunteers — bridged technical and field work.
The roll-out follows the NBRO-led compensation priority framework and the President’s pledge to clear compensation by month-end. The NDRSC said further system links with the Welfare Benefits Board and the Election Commission are expected.
