The government has decided to keep state banks open today (Aug 01), despite it being a Poya Day, for the beneficiaries of ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefit scheme to open bank accounts, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal tabled by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to continue with Samurdhi welfare payments to 393,094 Samurdhi recipients who had applied but were disqualified for the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits program.

In a press release, the Department of Government Information (DGI) said in the initial round a total of 1,792,265 eligible beneficiaries were selected to provide ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits, and 1,588,835 of them who haven’t received objections or filed appeals would receive the payments.

According to the DGI, the government has decided that 84,374 beneficiaries, who have appealed to be upgraded to a category with more benefits, would receive the payments made under the category they are already in, until the evaluation of appeals is completed.

Meanwhile, 119,056 Aswesuma beneficiaries against whom objections were raised, the government would continue to pay welfare benefits until the completion of reviewing of objections.

In addition, the allowances for the elderly will continue to be provided through post offices as usual while kidney patients and disability allowances are delivered through divisional secretariats.

The 11,660 individuals who are currently living in elderly homes, children’s homes and disability centers and the clergy will also receive their welfare benefits as usual, according to the DGI.