STF personnel affected by tsunami assisted

by Sarath Malalasekera

Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando distributed cash and other items for 350 Special Task Force (STF) personnel who were affected following the tsunami tragedy on December 26, 2004.

Some of the STF personnel have lsot their immediate family as well as their houses and properties. The personal belongings of the STF officers attached to various camps in the operational areas in the Ampara District were also destroyed during this catastrophe.

As it was of paramount importance to effect immediate relief measures STF Commandant DIG Nimal Lewke initiated prompt action to set up a Relief Committee comprising eight STF personnel.

They are Senior SP Wasantha Ratnayake, Chairman, SP K. H. Jayaweera, SP M. J. M. Rishard, Chief Inspector S. W. A. B. Daulagala, Inspector L. Abeykoon, Woman Inspector N. T. N. Kumari, Sergeants Hemasiri and Jayawardena.

On a request made by the Relief Committee the STF Personnel donated a sum of Rs. 7 Million to be distributed among their colleagues.

DIG Lewke said that in the case of the death of a wife or child they were paid Rs. 20,000 each and death of parents Rs. 18,000 each and death of parents or spouse Rs. 15,000 each.

In the case of complete devastation to house and furniture they were paid Rs.300,000 each. Partly damaged houses were paid Rs. 100,000 each and damage caused to furniture Rs. 50,000.

Each officer was paid Rs. 15,000 and each minor employee paid Rs. 7,500. For personnel who had been away from the Operational Camps during the tsunami tragedy for loss of personnel belongings were paid Rs. 7,500 each and each minor employee was paid Rs. 3,750.

Apart from the above mentioned grants, the minor employees who were affected were also taken into consideration and a substantial monetary assistance will be awarded, said the STF DIG.