The State Minister of Finance Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the programme to provide relief to two million families will be implemented from July 1.
The Minister said around 20 million needy families will get relief under this programme during a specific time frame. He said this will be implemented under four categories.
Accordingly, 400,000 families identified under the category of extreme poor will be provided a monthly allowance of Rs. 15,000 for a period of three years.
Also 800,000 families identified under the category of poor, will be provided a monthly allowance of Rs 8,500 for a period of three years.
In addition 400,000 families identified as in the category of facing a risk will be provided 5,000 rupees per month till March 31 of next year.
Also 400,000 families identified as those in a transitional phase will be provided Rs.2500 per month until December 31.
The Minister further states that the Parliament has the power to increase the period during which these benefits will be provided and the number of families included in it, and it is the government’s expectation to empower them during the relevant period.
According to a World Bank report released in 2019, 12 percent of the people receiving benefits from welfare programmes of the government are higher income earners.
The Minister said measures will be taken to eliminate such discrepancies in the current programme. The Minister further stated that after the list of recipients in the programme is published, there is an opportunity to submit protests or appeals.
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