40% of Samurdhi recipients are not eligible to receive benefits

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)