The Committee on Ways and Means has called for a new mechanism to identify beneficiaries of the Aswesuma Social Security Programme and dispense assistance.

The Committee, chaired by Wijesiri Basnayake, emphasised the need for far reaching changes to the current setup when the top management of the Welfare Benefits Board recently briefed the lawmakers on the current payment scheme and operational issues.

The Committee questioned the current system in place, pointing out the deficiencies in the selection process. It was critical of the selection of Aswesuma beneficiaries on the basis of 22 criteria.

The parliamentary committee has proposed the creation of a Social Registry covering the entire population to identify those who required assistance through the Aswesuma Social Security Programme. At the moment, only those who require assistance register themselves.

Several weeks before the top management of the Welfare Benefits Board appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means, the World Bank representatives discussed matters related to the Aswesuma Social Security Programme with relevant members of Parliament.

The World Bank delegation included Francesca Lamanna, Senior Economist for the Social Security Project, and Srinivas Varadan, Senior Social Security Specialist, along with several others.

Parliament said in a statement that the World Bank representatives had emphasized the importance of maintaining an updated and accurate data system when selecting eligible beneficiaries for the Aswesuma Social Security Programme. They further stated their readiness to provide the necessary technical support and international expertise for this purpose. According to Parliament, the delegation stressed the importance of the continuous need to update the data system.

Parliament quoted WB representatives as having said that establishing a comprehensive data system for social Security would enable the accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families. They noted that the mere inclusion of citizens’ information in the database would not automatically qualify them as Aswesuma beneficiaries. Instead, the data must be verified and analyzed to correctly identify those eligible for relevant benefits, according to the press release.

The Island sought clarification from the Colombo Office of World Bank regarding the current status of their involvement.

Q: Did the Colombo Office receive a request from parliament for assistance following the October meeting?

WB Colombo: The World Bank has been engaging with the government of Sri Lanka in strengthening Sri Lanka’s social protection system since 2016, with particular emphasis on developing and modernizing the country’s social registry.

Through analytical support, technical assistance, and financing—most notably under the Social Safety Nets Project launched in 2016 and subsequent support through to date—the Bank is helping the government move toward a unified, digitally enabled registry that improves the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of beneficiary identification. This assistance has included establishing robust information systems, data collection and verification processes, enhancing interoperability across government agencies, and promoting evidence-based targeting to ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable households. As a result, the evolving social registry is becoming a foundational tool for delivering more responsive and equitable social protection programs in Sri Lanka.

The recent media statement from Parliament refers to this ongoing support. The parliamentary meeting mentioned was held at the request of Members of Parliament, who sought a clearer understanding of the work underway and how implementation of the social registry can continue to be strengthened.

Q: Did Opposition MPs contact WB Colombo seeking help to streamline Aswesuma Social Security Programme?

WB Colombo: The World Bank engages with a broad range of stakeholders and regularly meets with Parliamentarians, including members of opposition parties, to discuss proposed and ongoing reform programs, including social protection reforms. These consultations are a key part of the Bank’s approach to ensure that policies and programs are timely, relevant and effectively implemented.

Formal engagements are facilitated by the Secretary General of Parliament and/or through the appropriate Parliamentary committees to ensure transparency of these engagements.

Q: Did WB offer similar technical support and international expertise to any other country in this part of the world (South East Asia) to improve social security programmes?

WB Colombo: Yes, the World Bank regularly supports developing countries – through grants, loans and technical assistance – to design, strengthen or reform social protection systems to promote better employment, prevent income loss, and protect people facing shocks and transitions.

WB Colombo cited Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines as some of the countries that had benefited through their programmes.

By Shamindra Ferdinando