Aswesuma allowances from today

The Welfare Benefits Board has announced that payments through the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Programme will be

made starting today to beneficiaries whose cases are not under review. 
Out of the 1.5 million selected beneficiaries, disbursements for July will be sent to banks on Monday for the 800,000 beneficiaries with accurate information, confirmed State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe.

Payments for the remaining beneficiaries will follow promptly after their information is verified.  Minister highlighted that the ongoing survey for appeals and objections is in progress, and payments will be issued to all beneficiaries once this process concludes. 
Semasinghe emphasised that any individuals found to have received benefits through false information will be subject to repayment and legal consequences by the Welfare Benefits Board.

Assuring citizens, he affirmed the government’s commitment to include all eligible individuals in the programme. Delays in benefit payments arose due to challenges stemming from the sudden resignation of Welfare Benefits Board Chairman B. Wijayaratne around two weeks ago. 

However, these issues have been resolved with the appointment of a new chairman. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, serving as the Minister of Finance, has designated Jayantha Wijeratne as the new Commissioner of Welfare Benefits and Chairman of the Welfare Benefits Board.