The Cabinet of Ministers this week, approved the proposal put forward by Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs D. M Swaminathan to pay 16 victims of the Welikada Prison Riot Rs. 2,000,000 each.

Twenty prisoners who were injured will be paid a compensation of Rs. 500, 000.

The decision is based on recommendations by the committee appointed to investigate the riot that took place 9 November 2012.

Twenty-seven prisoners were killed in the riot.

Eleven of the prisoners will receive compensation as they were killed while trying to escape prison.