Government Aims to Empower 200,000 Aswesuma Beneficiaries This Year, Says Minister Upali Pannila

The government aims to economically and socially empower nearly 200,000 Aswesuma beneficiaries this year, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannila said.

Under the government’s programme to economically and socially empower 1.2 million Aswesuma beneficiary families by 2029, livelihood development equipment was provided today (28) to beneficiary families in the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat Division, under a provision of Rs. 5.5 million through the Samurdhi Development Department, which functions under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

The programme was held at the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat premises under the patronage of Minister Dr. Upali Pannila.

Equipment required for various self-employment and livelihood activities was distributed to beneficiaries. These included refrigerators, deep freezers, Juki sewing machines, overlock machines, grinders and sealers, supporting activities such as the ready-made garment industry, poultry and chicken sales, frozen food sales and welding.

Minister Upali Pannila

Speaking at the event, Minister Dr. Upali Pannila said the government expects to economically and socially empower nearly 200,000 people receiving Aswesuma benefits during this year.

He stressed that the equipment and other assistance provided to beneficiaries were not funded from the personal money of ministers, MPs or government officials, but from tax revenue paid by the public.

The Minister also said that the belief that beneficiaries would lose their Aswesuma allowance because they received livelihood development equipment or other assistance was completely false.

He said the suspension or changes to the Aswesuma allowance would take place according to the prescribed timeframe and criteria of the programme.

Minister Pannila said Aswesuma was not a welfare programme intended to continue indefinitely, but a development programme aimed at empowering people in the short term and improving their living standards.

He said that instead of continuing to depend on government assistance, it was the fundamental responsibility of beneficiaries to build their own economic strength.

The government, he said, was prepared to identify the needs of beneficiaries and provide the necessary support to help them achieve this.

Officials Present

Kelaniya Divisional Secretary Gayani Ranasinghe, Peliyagoda Municipal Council Chairman Kapila Sampath Keerthi, public representatives of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha and Peliyagoda Municipal Council, Kelaniya Samurdhi Head Office Manager Priyantha Karunaratne, Samurdhi Development Officers, Community Empowerment Officers and a number of others attended the event.

Questions Raised by Journalists

Following the programme, journalists questioned Minister Dr. Upali Pannila on several matters.

1. Aswesuma and welfare programmes

Journalists asked whether the government was continuing programmes involving the distribution of goods and food parcels, similar to those implemented under previous arrangements.

2. Aswesuma programme

Questions were raised regarding the opportunity for beneficiaries to submit appeals concerning Aswesuma benefits and the current status of those appeals.

3. Fuel supply

The Minister was asked whether the government was aware of the fuel shortage and fuel queues reportedly occurring in the country.

4. 22nd Constitutional Amendment and the political situation

Questions were raised about whether the objectives expected from the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution would be achieved following its passage, and whether court cases could be heard and concluded more quickly.

5. Alleged disagreements within the government

Journalists asked whether there were any disagreements within the government, particularly regarding reports that the Prime Minister had been prepared to abstain from voting.

6. Alleged pressure on Members of Parliament

Questions were also raised as to whether MPs had been subjected to any pressure preventing them from voting according to their conscience, and whether there were internal problems within the government.

7. University lecturers’ trade union strike

The Minister was asked whether the government was aware of the strike launched by the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) and whether the government intended to provide a fair solution to their concerns.

8. University lecturers

Journalists questioned whether it was fair to treat university lecturers in this manner after they had previously served in the university system and received the relevant benefits.

9. University academic vacancies

Questions were raised as to whether the government had a programme to fill vacancies for university lecturers, or whether there was any alleged attempt to render state universities inactive and eventually close them.

10. The judiciary

Finally, journalists questioned the Minister regarding allegations that the judiciary had been influenced in a manner favourable to the government, and whether the government was satisfied with the situation concerning the judiciary.