Former United National Party Deputy Leader and Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake has questioned the Government’s decision to reduce the number of families receiving welfare assistance, asking whether the move reflects an improvement in the living standards of the public.
Speaking on the issue, Karunanayake claimed that the Government has reduced the number of welfare beneficiaries by approximately 400,000 families.
He said the Government has not explained whether these families were removed from the programme because their economic conditions had improved.
The MP also noted that the Government had acknowledged that the number of welfare recipients would decline further by the end of 2026.
Karunanayake questioned whether the decision was taken to achieve a specific policy objective and asked whether new eligible beneficiaries would be included in the welfare programme in place of those removed.
