• Provision of loans for development activities

The Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment has stated that the funds and institutions under the Samurdhi scheme would continue to operate as before, although the 'Aswesuma' social welfare programme has replaced the Samurdhi programme.

Following the implementation of the Aswesuma programme, there has been speculation about the future of the Samurdhi programme, which was initially introduced in the 1990s.

The Daily Morning queried Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, Wasantha Piyathissa as to whether the Government would make any changes to the Samurdhi programme, to which he replied that the programme would be linked with other programmes aimed at eliminating poverty. 

"There are Samurdhi banks and related funds. We are not planning to close the banks or depreciate the funds. They will continue to operate as before."

Although the provision of Samurdhi allowances has ceased with the Aswesuma programme, he said that other services such as the provision of loans for development activities and various projects would be provided through the Samurdhi programme.

When queried as to whether the Samurdhi Development Department's employee cadre would be subjected to any change: "No. There will not be any removal of employees."

The Samurdhi Development Department was established under the Divineguma Act, No. 01 of 2013, with the main goal of eradicating poverty. However, concerns have been raised in the past about its efficiency and productivity, with some suggesting that structural reforms are needed.