The importance of having social welfare benefits in place for economically underprivileged groups, and such benefits being methodical and equitable is one of the most crucial discussions that stemmed from the prevailing economic crisis. While the number of persons identified as being below the poverty line, and are in need of social welfare benefits has soared drastically, many have pointed out that those benefits need to uplift the quality of life of those groups in the short and long term. In response to this national need, which has also been stressed by various local and international actors, the Government took the initiative to expand and make more scientific, the existing special welfare benefits, and also to introduce new mechanisms in order to support those affected by the economic crisis the most.

Steps are currently underway to identify these groups and to gauge the sort of support that they will need. However, allegations are being levelled that these steps are likely to result in the curtailing of some of the social welfare benefits and the number of persons that are likely to benefit from those. Recently, the Development Officers’ Service Union alleged that the Government is planning to reduce the number of individuals eligible to receive social welfare benefits through a survey titled “Selection of welfare beneficiaries – 2022” which is being conducted throughout the country to supposedly identify such groups. According to the Union’s Secretary R.M. Ranjith Bandara, once this survey is completed, a massive deduction in welfare benefits, which could be as high as 70-80%, is likely. In addition, he claimed that the Chairman of the Social Welfare Board has explained that a large number of social welfare beneficiaries, including those receiving the Samurdhi subsidy, the elderly allowance and the cancer allowance, would be reduced based on the directives of the World Bank.

These claims are alarming, especially for a country like Sri Lanka that is witnessing a massive increase in inflation, food insecurity, poverty, and a lack of essentials. Even though the said allegations claim that those receiving or should receive social welfare benefits are likely to be reduced, the country is in a state where such benefits and also the beneficiaries of the same should be increased.

Considering the seriousness of these allegations, the Government must provide an appropriate response. Such would not only result in more awareness among the public about social welfare benefits but would also prevent the possible negative response from society. The best way to do this is by ensuring that the processes of identifying potential beneficiaries for and the provision of social welfare benefits is as transparent as possible. To achieve it, the Government should issue a detailed clarification to the public which explains the criteria employed to identify beneficiaries, how scientific and fact based the process is, who the officials involved in this process are, how much of funds have been or could be allocated for those groups, in what form such benefits will be provided, and most importantly, how the terms or conditions imposed by stakeholders and external parties such as international funders would affect the Government’s ability to provide social welfare benefits.

Without such genuine, transparent and concrete efforts, social welfare benefits, or any programme expected to alleviate the economic burden on the public for that matter, would have a lesser impact than expected. At the same time, such clarifications would certainly send a message to the international community, especially to international entities that are willing to assist Sri Lanka, that Sri Lanka is acting responsibly towards its economic recovery, external assistance, and welfare programmes for crisis affected groups.