Grama Niladharis, technical officers and disaster relief service officials have decided to withdraw from all disaster relief operations with effect from today (27), citing the absence of a proper assessment mechanism to compensate damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the failure to pay allowances and provide facilities due to officers engaged in relief work.

The decision was announced by Neville Wijerathna, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari National Association. He stated that the trade union action was prompted by the lack of a transparent and standardised method to assess losses for compensation payments, as well as the non-payment of allowances and other entitlements to officials involved in relief duties.

The move comes amid ongoing recovery efforts in areas affected by the recent Cyclone Ditwah.