State Minister for Finance Dr. Ranjith Siambalapitiya says that relief will be provided to over 80 lakh people belonging to 20 families from July.
Addressing journalists in the Kegalle area yesterday (13), the minister said that relief will be provided through the relief program.
Mr. Siambalapitiya also said:
“Due to the unique economic problem that arose in the country, the economic growth rate was 7.8% negative last year, which means that everyone’s livelihood has weakened; collapsed. Those who were at the subsistence level and those who were near the poverty line fell below it. More than 70 lakh people have fallen below the poverty line and are unable to make a living, the government has realized this. Therefore, the Aswasuma program is implemented to provide social welfare benefits to 20 lakh families.
20 lakh families means that the statistics department of our country says that the number of members in a family is 3.8, approximately 4 people per family. That means if we subsidize 20 lakh families, that means 80 lakh people.
Generally, people more than 80 lakhs are subsidized through Aswasuma Program from July. Likewise, those who are not eligible to receive these subsidies are also being looked up. For that purpose, the Social Welfare Act is implemented to search for information, and accordingly, both the information giver and the information receiver are bound to be responsible. After getting that information, it will be announced in the village. That way, the villagers can see who is worthy and who is not, and if any person is not suitable for receiving it, villagers can appeal,” the minister added.
