A special programme has been launched to issue National Identity Cards (NICs) to elderly individuals from low-income families who have been unable to receive the senior citizens' allowance due to the lack of an NIC.
The initiative is being jointly implemented by the National Secretariat for Elders, the Department for Registration of Persons, and the Registrar General's Department.
The National Secretariat for Elders has requested any senior citizen who has been deprived of the allowance because they do not possess a National Identity Card to contact their Grama Niladhari, Community Empowerment Officer, or Elder Rights Promotion Officer for assistance.
Under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, the National Secretariat for Elders provides a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 to senior citizens aged 70 and above from low-income families.
The current government increased the monthly allowance from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 and also decided to expand the number of beneficiaries to one million.
At present, the allowance is being distributed to 698,790 senior citizens through the ‘Aswesuma’programme's bank accounts, while a further 232,496 beneficiaries receive the payment through post offices.
