(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The government has decided to grant financial assistance of Rs. 5000-7500 per month for the next two months from May to provide relief to 3.3 million Samurdhi recipients, low income earners and those who have become helpless due to rising commodity prices and economic pressure.
Accordingly, this program will be implemented to benefit 3.3 million persons including 1,765,000 Samurdhi recipient families, 730,000 low income families, elderly and disabled persons and kidney patients.
Arrangements have been made to release the allowance for the month of May next week as the first phase.
The Government has made arrangements to provide relief to the beneficiaries for a period of three months using a portion of the US $ 300 million received from the World Bank.
The Ministry of Samurdhi and the Department of Samurdhi Development are playing a major role in directing this program which is being implemented on the instructions of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance.
Accordingly, arrangements have been made to credit the monthly allowance directly to the families of all the beneficiaries, including Samurdhi recipient families, to their own bank accounts.
Director General of Samurdhi Bandula Thilakasiri, who plays a significant role in implementing the program, said that arrangements have been made to provide a minimum of Rs. 5,000 to a maximum of Rs. 7,500 to members of Samurdhi recipient families.
They have been facilitated to withdraw the money through Samurdhi banks across the country.
