40% of Samurdhi recipients are not eligible to receive benefits

12 January 2023 01:15 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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It has been revealed that nearly 40% of Samurdhi beneficiaries are not eligible to receive assistance under the scheme.

This was revealed at a recent meeting of public finance committee which met a few days ago, as per an official statement issued by Parliament.

This was confirmed by a recent survey done by the World Bank.

Accordingly, it was transpired at the finance committee meeting that there are some corrupt officials who disburse Samurdhi allowance to people who are not eligible and get a percentage of it. It was emphasized in the finance committee that it is essential to prepare a register with the correct data in order to carry out these welfare benefit payments with transparency.

It was further revealed that a proposal has been made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to carry out the Samurdhi activities in a transparent manner as the responsibility has been assigned to the Welfare Benefits Board. Thus, the orders were published in this gazette to make necessary arrangements for data collection process. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 8

Dee Thursday, 12 January 2023 01:38 PM

We know families who own vehicles who receives the benefits! Of course officially they don't have a proper house, proper job etc. Sad situation!

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Ram Thursday, 12 January 2023 01:46 PM

The recipients who are not eligible could be supporters of successive governments.

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Ram Thursday, 12 January 2023 01:49 PM

How the names got into the pay roll must be investigated and if there has been political influence the relevant politicians must be asked to pay. Good to have a commission to investigate

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Make them contributing citizens! Thursday, 12 January 2023 06:04 PM

The mistake starts at the Gramasevaka level who has no time to make proper investigation. Instead of welfare that maintain the poor at the same level of paupers, why not make a welfare project that can bring out the best talent in them, so they too contribute to the welfare of the very poor citizens?

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DOT Friday, 13 January 2023 05:32 AM

I feel that the percentage can go up to further 40%!

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 13 January 2023 05:54 AM

This is happening in USA and Canada too. Mostly former LTTE associates own luxury cars but claim all kind of government subsidies and grants . So it is not a big surprise that it is happening in Sri Lanka. Big surprise is that the Committee has come to know about it only now.

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Cassim Zarook Friday, 13 January 2023 10:24 AM

40% of Samurdhi recipients are not eligible to receive benefits as much as 99% of the Parliamentarians are not eligible for the benefits they enjoy.

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Sambo Friday, 13 January 2023 11:35 AM

Who ever found this out is too late as most of the people know this is given on a friendship basis and threatened when they are needed for political purposes.

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