The Cabinet has approved an allocation of Rs. 25 million for temporary care homes dedicated to providing protection for women victims of violence, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced today (19 December).

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs manages 10 such facilities across Sri Lanka, including in Gampaha, Rathnapura, Moneragala, Colombo, Matara, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, and Jaffna, with two additional care homes in Anuradhapura. A new care home is also planned for Nuwara-Eliya district, set to open in January 2025.

From 2020 to mid-2024, these care homes have supported 2,852 women, costing Rs. 60.35 million to operate. While the Ministry received Rs. 37.69 million in provisions, Rs. 22 million in bills remain unpaid.

The newly approved funding of Rs. 25 million for 2025 will help cover the costs, with provisions for future years to be included in the annual budget, Dr. Jayatissa said.