Deraniyagala, Dec.24 (Daily Mirror) – Efforts are being made to increase the number of families receiving benefits from the Aswesuma welfare scheme from 2 million to 2.4 million, and the amount of benefits to the beneficiaries will not be reduced in any way, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

While addressing an event in the Deraniyagala area, he said there is an opportunity in this programme to increase the number of families receiving benefits by presenting facts to Parliament whenever necessary.

Accordingly, applications will be able to be made next January, and efforts will be made to increase the number of beneficiaries.

The Minister mentioned that through this system, the information of the families who are currently receiving benefits will be confirmed, and those who were unable to submit applications last time, as well as those who have suffered from various injustices, will also have the opportunity.

He also said that although the amount allocated for welfare benefits in 2020 and 2021 was Rs. 60–Rs. 65 billion, this time it has been increased to Rs. 205 billion. So the amount of benefits to the beneficiaries will not be reduced in any way.

The President’s aim is to find a practical solution to the problem. Accordingly, this programme is making a huge effort to turn the beneficiaries into people who won’t need subsidies by giving them Rs. 15,000.