(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Until a new payment system is prepared, the allowances for kidney patients, disabled and low-income elderly persons under the Aswesuma welfare benefit program will remain unchanged, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe assured.
Under the Aswesuma program, provision has been set aside to pay these allowances to 647,683 people and the payment will be made in the coming days.
Accordingly, 517,962 elderly allowances, 88,602 disabled allowances and 41,119 kidney disease allowances will be given including the waiting lists.
Elderly Allowances will be given from Post Offices and Disability and Kidney Allowances from Divisional Secretariats.
Meanwhile, the resignation of the Chairman of the Welfare Benefit Board, will not delay the implementation of the program as reported in media, as the board consists of the Chairman and four other members, Minister Semasinghe said.
Former Chairman Mr. B. Wijeratne has informed the President that he is resigning from office due to personal reasons and the President has recommended the name of Mr. Jayantha Wijeratne, a special grade retired civil servant to the Constitutional Council as the new chairman.
The resignation of the chairman does not prevent the payment of benefits after completing the requirements, including opening of bank accounts or starting proceedings for consideration of objections and appeals, the State Minister of Finance stressed.
The State Minister of Finance requested the eligible candidates who have not opened bank accounts to complete the requirement as early as possible.
