President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the need to establish a stronger social security system based on a scientific assessment mechanism to ensure that welfare programmes genuinely empower beneficiary families.

The President made these remarks during a pre-Budget discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to review projects implemented under this year’s (2026) Budget allocations of the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry and to discuss proposals for next year’s (2027) Budget.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake instructed officials to develop a comprehensive poverty eradication programme by integrating funds currently distributed among various institutions and directing them towards identified families in need.