Govt aims to empower 200,000 Aswesuma beneficiaries this year – Minister

The Government expects to economically and socially empower nearly 200,000 Aswesuma beneficiaries this year, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage said.

Speaking at a programme in Kelaniya today (28), the Minister said the initiative forms part of the Government’s broader target of empowering 1.2 million Aswesuma beneficiary families by 2029.

Under the programme, the Department of Samurdhi Development distributed livelihood development equipment worth Rs. 5.5 million to Aswesuma beneficiary families in the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat Division.

The equipment, intended to support self-employment ventures such as garment production, poultry sales, frozen food businesses and welding, included refrigerators, deep freezers, Juki sewing machines, overlock machines, grinders and sealers.

Minister Pannilage also dismissed claims that Aswesuma beneficiaries could lose their allowances after receiving livelihood development equipment or other assistance. 

He said any changes or discontinuation of Aswesuma benefits would take place only in accordance with the stipulated timeframe and eligibility criteria of the programme.

He said Aswesuma was not intended to be a permanent welfare programme, but rather a short-term initiative aimed at helping beneficiaries strengthen their economic position and improve their living standards.

The Minister further stressed that assistance provided under such programmes comes from public tax revenue and not the personal funds of politicians or state officials.

He added that beneficiaries should work towards building their own economic independence instead of remaining dependent on state assistance, while assuring that the Government would continue to identify their needs and provide necessary support. (Newswire)

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