• Mechanisms in place for appeals insufficient   
• Welfare Benefits Board review to commence soon

Existing mechanisms in place to ensure fairness in the distribution of Aswesuma welfare benefits are not sufficient on their own, and therefore, a comprehensive review of the programme will be carried out soon, said the Deputy Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Minister, Wasantha Piyathissa.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (2), he said that although several procedures already exist to correct errors in the process, a full evaluation had become necessary. “There is already a process to select beneficiaries. If someone has been subjected to injustice, they can make an appeal to the Divisional Secretary. The matter is then examined and the necessary intervention is made." He added that members of the public could also raise objections if benefits had been granted to individuals who are not eligible. “If someone who should not receive the Aswesuma benefits has received it, people can submit a petition. In such cases too, action will be taken after reviewing the complaint,” he said.

However, he noted that these corrective measures alone are inadequate to fully address the issues being reported. “It is not possible to resolve issues only through these two measures. A full review needs to be carried out. The Welfare Benefits Board would conduct the review process, after which the Finance Ministry would take decisions based on its findings."

The remarks come amid public discussion over the implementation of the Aswesuma welfare benefits scheme, including reports that some eligible low-income families have not received benefits despite qualifying, whereas certain ineligible households have been included in the beneficiary list. There have also been criticisms regarding how some recipients utilise the funds, with allegations that portions of the allowance are being spent without proper financial planning on non-essential consumption such as beauty products, alcohol, and other personal expenses, instead of improving household livelihoods or supporting income-generating activities.

The Aswesuma welfare programme was introduced in 2023 during the Presidency of attorney Ranil Wickremesinghe, with welfare payments commencing on 1 July of that year. Under the scheme, households categorised as transitional were to receive Rs. 2,500 per month, vulnerable households Rs. 5,000, poor households Rs. 7,500, and extremely poor households Rs. 15,000. Payments for several categories were later increased after the National People's Power Government assumed office.