President Maithripala Sirisena at a meeting held yesterday clarified that the compensation amount to be paid to Meethotamulla victims had not decided on.

“That is not correct,” he told reporters when questioned on the amount announced by the Finance Ministry. “I don’t know where that report came from. Ministries must be more careful when issuing statements. We have not yet decided on an amount for compensation.”

Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa has earlier also clarified that the money announced by the Finance Ministry is money that was part of an insurance scheme for disasters.

The Finance Ministry on Tuesday (18) said Rs. 100, 000 would be paid for the loss of life and up to Rs. 2.5 million for property damage.