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GNs too decline to have anything to do with Aswesuma
The Grama Niladaris had not played any role in providing social welfare benefits to the people since 1994, President of Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Association (SLUGNA), W. G. Kamal Kithsiri said.
The Department of Samurdhi Development carried out that task, he said.
Kithsiri said the officials attached to the Department of Samurdhi Development had now withdrawn from the Aswesuma welfare scheme. .
“The government has decided to entrust the task of carrying out the Aswesuma programme to us. What it should do is to talk to officials attached to the Department of Samurdhi Development, redress their grievances and use the systems in place. What will happen if we also say we can’t get involved in this? This is becoming a mess,” he said.
“This is not a task for the Ministry of Home Affairs. Why should the government waste time and money to create an entirely new system to handle social welfare?” he said.
Welfare Benefits Act (No. 24 of 2002) specified guidelines for social welfare programmes, Kithsiri said. Section 20 of the act states Any person who furnishes a false or incorrect declaration or information shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction after summary trial before a magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.
The government must educate the people on the above mentioned section of the Social Benefits Act and punish the transgressors, he said
Section 21 of the act states, “Any public officer who in the exercise, performance or discharge of his powers, duties or functions under this Act, knowingly and willingly, acts on any information which is false or incorrect, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction after summary trial before a Magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees or to imprisonment to a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
Grama Niladaris were worried about getting into trouble because of that particular section, Kithsiri said. “This will restrain people from providing false information to get benefits. We know some people lie to get benefits. How does a Grama Niladari find out if a person is not telling the truth,” he asked.
Kithsiri said that this is also a reason why Samurdhi officials refused to collect data for Aswesuma. The government ultimately used freelancers to collect data and paid them at the rate of Rs. 300 per application.
“However, now there are many appeals. The government is now forcing Grama Niladaris to deal with the appeals. You saw what happened when there were issues with Aswesuma selections? They stormed Divisional Secretariats. They will do the same if something goes wrong with appeals. We don’t want to get assaulted and harassed,” Kithsiri said.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
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