Provision of Rs. 5000 allowance to low-income families begins today

COLOMBO (News 1st): The provision of an allowance of Rs. 5000 to low-income families begins today, following a circular issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. Those eligible for the allowance include: 1. Samurdhi beneficiary families 2. Low-income earning families 3. Families comprising of recipients of the Elders Allowance 4. Families comprising kidney patients who receive allowances 5. Families comprising centenarians who receive the Elders Allowance AND 6. Families that have filed appeals and are eligible under any of the aforementioned categories. If a family has both Samurdhi beneficiaries and those who receive the Elders' allowance, they will still receive a sum of Rs. 5000 only, the Prime Minister’s Office explained. Around 3 million families will be eligible for the scheme, according to State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment and Business Development - Shehan Semasinghe.