On the instructions of the President and the Prime Minister, the government will bear the cost of the funerals of the victims while steps are underway to provide immediate relief, he said.

At a meeting held yesterday at the Ministry of Disaster Management under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, it was decided to pay full compensation for the victims and support them to build their lives better, he added.

The release said that Prime Minister Wickremsinghe from Japan contacted the Home Affairs Ministry through the telephone and e-mail and gave necessary instructions. Prime Minister also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and also issued a statement from Japan.

PM Wickremsinghe has instructed the minister to inform that this tragedy took place at a time when the government was taking steps to remove this garbage dump and President Sirisena has instructed to expedite that process. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Japan has also expressed his condolences to the victims while assuring their fullest technical assistance to solve this issue.

At the meeting held yesterday, it was decided to commence the valuation of damaged properties today (17th April), find a secure place for vulnerable people and to complete all these things within the next five days.