Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2023-01-16

Providing relief for low income families

- Attention of the Government has been drawn on the speedy initiation of a new Scheme to pay welfare benefits and a survey to identify beneficiaries using latest qualifications and criteria has now been commenced and is being implemented island-wide. Necessary provisions have been allocated through the Budget 2023 to provide financial concessions within the first four (4) months of the year 2023 to prevent any difficulties that may encountered by the vulnerable families in the face of economic crisis prevailing at present. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National policies to provide necessary provisions to extend the financial relief proposed through the Budget 2023 for vulnerable families of the society including Samurdhi beneficiaries, by another period of 5 months from May to September, 2023 until the completion of the ongoing Survey and introducing of new proposed scheme for the payment of welfare benefits, was approved by the Cabinet.