(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – As per instructions of President Ranil Wickramasinghe, the government has decided to continue with the existing benefit payments to beneficiaries who receive elderly citizens allowance, disabled allowance, and those with kidney disease until a new criteria is introduced to ensure a basic standard of living and provide assistance for healthcare-related expenses State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.
However, there is no change in the payment of “Aswesuma” welfare benefits under four social categories namely transitional, vulnerable, poor and extreme poor.
So far, 760,000 appeals and 10,000 objections have been received and the opportunity is given annually to those who have not been able to register as well as those who intend to join the compensation benefit program. Those who have not been able to register will have the opportunity again in August.
The government’s effort is to target assistance to those who are most in need and ensure the equitable distribution of resources and subject to periodic reviews and updates to ensure they remain effective, equitable, and sustainable, the Minister said in a statement.