Empowerment program for disaster-affected businesses

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development issued Budget Circular No. 08/2025 (iii) to restore lives disrupted by recent severe weather conditions. This directive expands relief efforts for businesses that ceased operations due to the emergency, aiming to improve the living standards of affected citizens. Treasury Secretary Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma authorised these amendments to ensure the efficient distribution of one-time grants intended for business recovery.

Financial assistance is categorised by business type and registration status:

• Registered individual, small, and micro businesses under the Ministry of Industry or Divisional Secretariats receive Rs. 200,000 per unit.

• Unregistered trading businesses operating within permanent domestic buildings qualify for Rs. 50,000 per unit.

• Unregistered manufacturing industries and greenhouses are eligible for Rs. 50,000 per unit.

• Temporary trades, including roadside and mobile vendors, receive Rs. 25,000 per unit.

Recipients qualifying for multiple categories under unregistered or temporary trades may only claim a single grant. Funding is allocated under Expenditure Head No. 103 to the Ministry of Defence, with payments processed through Divisional Secretariats.