The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved enhanced benefits for recipients of the “Aswesuma” welfare programme, to be implemented by the end of this year under the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002.
At a recent CoPF meeting in Parliament, allowances for households in extreme poverty were increased from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 17,500. Similarly, households currently receiving Rs. 8,500 will see their benefits rise to Rs. 10,000, while those receiving Rs. 2,500 will have their allowances doubled to Rs. 5,000. However, the Rs. 5,000 allowance for certain households will remain unchanged, according to a statement from the Parliamentary Communications Department.
In other developments, the committee did not approve a gazette notification regarding the Western Terminal of Colombo Port under the Strategic Development Projects Act. Meanwhile, a separate proposal for a garment factory in Batticaloa will be reconsidered later.
Additionally, six orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, were reviewed, focusing on extending validity periods and reducing taxes.
Committee members present at the meeting included Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, and Lakmali Hemachndra.
