SLIC launches ‘Viru Abhiman’ for COVID-19 frontline workers

BY SANDUN A. JAYASEKERA

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) yesterday launched a product to insure the staff of the Health Ministry engaged in the fight against COVID-19 for Rs.1.5 million each, Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said. “The free Life Insurance Policy (LIP) ‘Viru Abhiman’ issued exclusively for doctors, PHIs, nurses, paramedics, attendants, ambulance and other vehicle drivers, members of the minor staff, provincial and district health officials who are fighting the viral infection putting their lives at risk are entitled to this insurance policy. Under this free LIP, Rs.1.5 million will be paid as compensation to the family of the health worker if he or she dies and Rs.1 million if he or she does not have children.

The uniqueness of this insurance policy is that SLIC will not charge any premium from policyholder. They also need not register with SLIC to be entitled for the insurance benefit,” she said. Meanwhile, SLIC Chairman Dr. Jagath Wellawatta said the free LIP was introduced for health workers on the request of Minister Wanniarachchi. The insurance scheme was launched yesterday at the Health Ministry.