Greater proportion of beggars in SL urban areas are women: Census reveals

By Yohan Perera

A recent census has revealed that a greater proportion of beggars in urban areas in Sri Lanka are women, Chairman of Ways and Means Committee Patali Champika Ranawaka revealed. Speaking during a briefing, Minister Ranawaka said the total number of beggars in municipal and urban areas is 3,661 out of which 55 percent are women.

“The Ways and Means Committee will introduce a national policy on beggars next year,” the MP said.

Also, the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee said the committee headed by him had proposed that the Aswesuma social welfare scheme be extended to all who use less than 30 units of electricity.