Colombo, December 21, 2023: The Sri Lankan government’s commitment to social welfare continues, with over 51.9 billion rupees (approximately 160 million USD) disbursed to 1.4 million needy families under the Aswesuma program in the past six months. State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe announced this significant milestone today, highlighting the ongoing support for vulnerable populations.
December alone saw 8.8 billion rupees (around 27 million USD) distributed, further reinforcing the government’s dedication to the program. Notably, 303,199 of the beneficiary families fall within the extremely poor category, ensuring their essential needs are addressed.
Minister Semasinghe emphasized the program’s ongoing evaluation, scheduled for year-end. This review will guide further development and inform a fresh round of applications opening in January 2024. Demonstrating long-term commitment, the 2024 budget allocates 205 billion rupees (approximately 628.8 million USD) for Aswesuma payments, solidifying its place as a crucial social safety net.
Key Facts:
Over 51.9 billion rupees disbursed to 1.4 million families through Aswesuma in the past six months.
December alone saw 8.8 billion rupees distributed, reaching 1.4 million families.
303,199 extremely poor families among beneficiaries.
Program under evaluation with fresh applications to open in January 2024.
205 billion rupees allocated for Aswesuma payments in 2024 budget.
