• Sans ‘genuine need’, claims Social Security Min. citing 4.3 m family benefit applications to Welfare Benefits Board for Aswesuma

Over 80% of Sri Lankan families have applied for Aswesuma benefits, indicating a serious tendency to seek relief programme benefits even without a genuine need, the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage claimed.

Addressing an event yesterday (20), he claimed: “According to data from the Department of Census and Statistics for last year (2024), there are only 5.2 million families in our country. However, the Welfare Benefits Board has received applications for Aswesuma benefits from 4.3 million families. Around 83% of families have a begging mentality, not necessarily based on actual need. They have a strong tendency to seek welfare benefits.”

Dr. Pannilage further opined that many Sri Lankans are poor not only economically, but also mentally. He blamed Sri Lanka’s political culture for this situation, adding that many political leaders believe that the public should bear the cost of providing them with luxuries, thereby creating a society that aligns with such a culture. He stressed that it is necessary to move away from this relief-seeking mentality for the country to progress.