News
SLPP finds fault with ‘Aswesuma’
Govt. receives over 190,000 complaints and appeals
By Rathindra Kuruwita
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has found fault with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government for the selection of ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries.
The former minister has, issuing a statement on behalf of the SLPP parliamentary group, alleged that those who deserved the ‘Aswesuma’ benefits have been excluded. Those who don’t require such assistance have been accommodated in the programme, Rajapaksa has said, demanding remedial action.
State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe yesterday assured that the aggrieved people could submit appeals before 10 July. Addressing the media at the President’s Media centre, Semasinghe urged the public not to fall prey to various interested parties.
Chairman and Commissioner of the Welfare Benefits Board B. Wijeratne said his office had received over 190,000 complaints and appeals over the ‘Aswesuma. programme by the end of 26 June.
“We will consider them all and come up with a final list,” he said.
Wijeratne said he had received reports that there were many protests opposing the way ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries were selected.
The government received 3,712,096 applications for ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits by the end of April.
The Presidential Secretariat said ‘Aswesuma’ benefits would be distributed among four categories–– transitional, vulnerable, poor, and extremely poor. Additionally, the usual allowances for the differently-abled, elderly, and kidney patients will also be provided.
“Accordingly 400,000 transitional beneficiaries will receive Rs 2,500 a month until 31 December 2023. 400,000 people in the vulnerable category will receive Rs 5,000 a month until 31 March 2024. 800,000 people in the poor category will receive Rs 8,500 rupees a month, and those in the extremely poor category will receive Rs 15,000 a month for three years beginning 01 July 2023,” the Secretariat said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
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