News

Cabinet approval for benefit payments of ‘Aswesuma’

Published

10 months ago

August 1, 2023

editor

Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers has been decided to be granted for the following programme presented by the President in relation to the payment of benefits with immediate effect under the ‘Aswesuma’ Social Welfare Benefit Programme.

• 1,792,265 beneficiaries have been selected for the initial step of Aswesuma programme by the Welfare Benefits Board and payments to be made for 1,588,835 beneficiaries in regard to whom no appeals or objections were received.
• Payment of benefits entitled under the category to which beneficiaries have been selected until a final decision is given after reviewing appeals of 84,374 beneficiaries who have submitted appeals for being included in the higher category although have been selected as beneficiaries.
• Objections have been submitted against 119,056 individuals from the selected beneficiaries and payment of benefits until the review process conducted in regard to the said objections have been finalized.
• 393,097 individuals who enjoy Samurdhi benefits at present and not been selected although have applied for benefits under the programme to be paid the benefits under the Samurdhi programme until the appeals and objections review process is totally completed under the Aswesuma programme.
• Further payment of already paid kidney disease allowance and disability allowance through the Divisional Secretariats and further payment of elders’ allowance through the Post Offices.

• Further payment of allowance to 11,660 individuals who are in caregiving homes or religious places and suffering from kidney disease, disabilities or due to being elders.

News

Fmr. Army Chief joins SJB

Published

47 mins ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

Former Army Commander Retired General Mahesh Senanayake has joined with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

In a Facebook post, party leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Former Army Chief joined the SJB to support the program to rebuild Sri Lanka.

Mr. Premadasa had appointed General Mahesh Senanayake as the Chief of the Samagi Ranaviru Balawegaya.

News

Colombo HC sentences 9 Pakistani drug traffickers to 10 years in prison

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

Nine Pakistani nationals, who were arrested on charges of smuggling a large cache of drugs, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Colombo High Court.

During a joint operation carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Sri Lanka Navy on January 01, 2020, the Pakistani nationals were apprehended while transporting 614 kg of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine) and 581 kg and 34 grams of suspected drugs by boat.

The report of the Government Analyst has confirmed that the seized parcels contained over 491 kilograms of ‘Ketamine’ drugs and nearly 472 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine).

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges when the case was taken up before the court, and were subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, police said.

Furthermore, the police mentioned that measures are underway to extradite the suspects to Pakistan in order to serve their sentences.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Uni. exams postponed due to non-academic staff strike

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

nipuni

The University Grants Commission said all examinations of undergraduate students in universities have to be postponed, due to the ongoing strike launched by the university non-academic trade unions.
UGC Vice Chairman Senior Prof. Chandana P. Udawatte said as a result, over 50,000 undergraduates will not be able to complete their degree within the planned timeframe.

He said the issuance of the university admission manual, which includes the details on how to apply for degree courses, for those who pass the Advanced Level Examination, was also delayed due to the strike action.

Prof. Udawatte said the Minister of Education has already submitted the necessary proposals to the Cabinet to resolve the issues of the university non-academic staff.

However, Co-Convener of the University Trade Union Alliance Dhammika S. Priyantha said the strike will continue indefinitely until favourable solutions are provided to their demands.

The strike is ongoing for the 16th day.

(News1st)