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WB recommends updated data system to ensure fair selection of Aswesuma beneficiaries

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5 months ago

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World Bank representatives have underscored the importance of maintaining an accurate and continuously updated data system to ensure the fair selection of eligible beneficiaries under Sri Lanka’s Aswesuma Social Security Programme, Parliament sources said yesterday.

The emphasis was made during a joint meeting, held at Parliament on 22 October, attended by members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development; the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations; representatives of the World Bank; and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies.

Minister of Rural Development, Social Empowerment and Welfare, Dr. Upali Pannilage, and Lakmali Hemachandra, MP, Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee, presided over the discussions. The World Bank delegation was led by Francesca Lamanna, Senior Economist for the Social Security Project, and Srinivas Varadan, Senior Social Security Specialist.

The World Bank officials noted that developing a comprehensive, technology-driven data system would enable accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families. They clarified that the mere inclusion of citizens’ information in the database would not automatically qualify them as Aswesuma beneficiaries. Instead, verification and analysis would be essential to ensure eligibility and transparency.

They further observed that establishing such a robust social security data platform would be a “productive investment” for Sri Lanka and called for regular updates to maintain its accuracy and relevance. The Bank also expressed readiness to extend technical assistance and international expertise to support the process.

 Several Members of Parliament raised concerns over challenges faced in distributing Aswesuma benefits and proposed that local-level committees should be involved in identifying recipients. They also recommended publicly displaying beneficiary lists in each village to enhance transparency.

Officials responsible for the programme’s implementation acknowledged that some difficulties had arisen due to inadequate information being provided to field officers, including Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharis. They assured that corrective measures were being taken to improve communication and strengthen coordination at the local level.

The meeting was also attended by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs, and World Bank Advisor Shalika Subasinghe, alongside senior Finance Ministry officials.


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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts

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6 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of  Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 25 March 2026, valid for 26 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala 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.

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US dodges question on AKD’s claim SL denied permission for military aircraft to land

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7 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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President

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Colombo declared that the United States and Sri Lanka maintain a long-standing defence partnership, grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared interests.

The official said so in response to The Island query regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent bombshell disclosure, in Parliament, that his government declined to allow the US Air Force to use the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, following the eruption of the latest West Asia war.

We sought views of the US on President Dissanayake’s claim against the backdrop of Sri Lanka being a party to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) since 2007. Sri Lanka extended the ACSA in 2017, for another 10-year period, and its extension comes up next year.

The President revealed that the US had requested permission to use Mattala, between 04 and 08 March.

Claiming that the request had been made on 26 February, two days before the war began, President Dissanayake said that the US had sought to land two aircraft, carrying eight anti-ship missiles, but that the request had been turned down to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality. The President revealed that the aircraft were to come from a US base in Djibouti.

The US embassy pokesperson explained that questions related to operational movements, including ‘Operation Epic Fury’, should be directed to the Department of War (DOW) in Washington.

Camp Lemonnier is the primary base of operations for US Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. China, too, has its only overseas military base in Djibouti in the vicinity.

Military sources said whatever various interested parties said about US-Sri Lanka relations, the former provided significant intelligence support during last phase of the conflict that enabled the Navy to hunt down floating LTTE arsenals in international waters. Of the eight LTTE vessels sunk, the US backed four hits with specific intelligence, sources said.

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No decrease in remittances from workers due to Gulf conflict, but significant drop in tourist arrivals – CB Governor

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7 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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CBSL Governor

Sri Lanka’s worker remittances had not seen a decrease despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Central Bank (CBSL) Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday.

“Based on currently available data, they have not seen a decline in remittances. In fact, according to that we have observed, is a slight increase in remittances in the past few days, ” the Governor said at a media conference held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo.

Governor Weerasinghe also mentioned that he had not seen any reports about Sri Lankans returning to the country from the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

The Central Bank Governor, however, acknowledged that there had been a decrease in tourist arrivals. He confirmed that tourist arrivals had decreased by around 17 percent due to the current volatile situation in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%, following its latest Monetary Policy Board meeting.

By Hiran H Senewiratne

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