The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many Members spoke today on the Expenditure Heads of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Representing a rural electorate, I note that since 1948 every Government has implemented programmes to alleviate rural poverty—from food stamps to Janasaviya, Samurdhi, Divineguma, and now Aswesuma.

¶ 02 Aswesuma now covers over 12 lakh (1.2 million) households. However, selection has not always targeted the most deserving within each GN division. There are five key State officers at GN level—Grama Niladhari, Samurdhi Development Officer, Economic Development Officer, Agricultural Research and Production Assistant, and Public Health Midwife. Yet selections were often organized separately via Divisional Secretariats without rigorous GN-level verification, leading to omissions. I request a clear, GN-based process to ensure the most deserving benefit.

¶ 03 Beyond cash transfers, rural and estate areas need basic infrastructure and public health improvements—particularly sanitation in difficult areas. The national Multidimensional Poverty Index (2019) compiled with UNDP methodologies across districts shows disparities in electricity, education, health, living standards, and clean water. Colombo ranks highest (best access), while Ratnapura—my district—ranks 22nd, with Moneragala, Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya faring worse. Special attention is needed for these districts, where many estate families lack adequate schooling access and emergency healthcare. I also urge expediting the Ruwanpura Expressway to connect Ratnapura to Colombo, reducing travel from 5–6 hours to about 2.5 hours, and to restore the halted rail line beyond Avissawella toward Opanayake to facilitate produce transport.

¶ 04 Please implement a programme to lift Ratnapura toward Colombo’s access levels. Thank you.