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“Aswesuma” welfare benefit payment from 01 July

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given directions for the initiation of “Aswesuma” welfare benefit payments, which are scheduled to commence from July 1st. 

The necessary gazette has been published in accordance with the authorities delegated to President Ranil Wickremesinghe as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policy.  

Accordingly, these payments will be distributed among four social categories, namely transitional, vulnerable, poor, and extremely poor. Additionally, the usual allowances for the differently-abled, elderly, and kidney patients will also be provided 

Accordingly, 400,000 transitional beneficiaries will receive Rs.2,500.00 per month until December 31, 2023, 400,000 vulnerable beneficiaries will receive Rs.5,000.00 per month until March 31, 2024, 800,000 poor beneficiaries will receive Rs.8,500.00 per month, and extremely poor beneficiaries will receive Rs.15,000.00 per month for three years beginning July 1, 2023.

Currently, 72,000 differently abled people getting welfare benefits will each receive Rs.5000.00 per month, 39,150 people receiving kidney support will each receive Rs.5000.00, and 416,667 people receiving senior assistance would each receive Rs.2000.00.

Around 3,712,096 applications for welfare benefits have been received from 340 Divisional Secretariats across the island, with 91.5% of the process of verifying program information to identify those who are eligible for payment of these welfare benefits completed as of yesterday (08).

The data has been monitored through selection committees consisting of three members at the regional office level, and the process of approval by the district secretary has also started.

The highest number of applications that have been confirmed and finalized are from Vavuniya district, which is 98% followed by 96.5% from Kandy district, 96% from Kilinochchi district, 96% from Jaffna district and 95.5% from Trincomalee district respectively, 3,362,040 applications covering the entire island have been verified so far.

(President’s Media Division) 

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965 lives lost in road accidents during last 05 months

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A total of 965 people have died between January 01 – May 13 due to various road accidents across Sri Lanka.

During this period,1,842 accidents including 902 fatal accidents were recorded, according to police reports.

The main causes cited for these accidents include negligence, reckless driving and improper vehicle maintenance.

To address the rising number of accidents, police have planned a special island-wide program focused on reducing traffic incidents, including driver awareness initiatives.

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Substandard fertilizer racket nabbed

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The Polonnaruwa Divisional Crimes Unit yesterday (May 14) raided a seed and planting material sales center in the Siripura area, where ammonia fertilizer was allegedly being falsely sold as urea at higher prices.

12 employees, including the facility’s manager were arrested for aiding and abetting the scam.

It’s reported that for a prolonged period, fertilizer containing only 21% nitrogen was being repackaged as fertilizer with 46% nitrogen content and sold to farmers at higher prices.

During the raid, officers uncovered around 1,000 sacks of fertilizer ready for distribution, with 04 lorries loaded for transport, empty fertilizer bags and a host of other equipment.

The main suspect behind the operation has fled the area while 11 workers were caught red handed while mixing the fertilizer during the raid.

The arrested manager is said to be a resident of Embilipitiya, while the workers involved in repackaging the fertilizer are from the Santhiveli area in Batticaloa.

Investigations revealed that the main suspect had purchased 50kg of fertilizer at Rs.5,000 from a prominent private company and then distributed the altered product to farmers and dealers in the Polonnaruwa District, including areas of Aralaganwila, Siripura, and Welikanda.

Many farmers in the district used this substandard fertilizer during the Yala season, leading to yellowing crops and reduced yields.

The Polonnaruwa Divisional Crimes Unit suspects others may also be involved in this large-scale fraud.

The arrested individuals were produced before the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate’s Court yesterday (May 14).

(Source: Aruna)

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PC suspended for WhatsApping confidential police info

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.A constable attached to the Parliamentary Security Division has been suspended for allegedly sharing confidential police information through a WhatsApp group, violating official protocols.

According to Police Headquarters, the suspect had been operating a WhatsApp group under the name “CRTM / RTM message No. 3” on his personal phone without authorization from senior officers.

Investigations revealed that several members of the group were civilians or unaffiliated with the police, and that sensitive internal communications meant for police personnel were shared with unauthorized individuals.

The SSP, Director of the Parliamentary Security Division, has suspended the constable for breaching discipline by irresponsibly disclosing confidential police matters to outsiders.

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