The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I am pleased to speak on the amendments to the Aswesuma social protection payment scheme.

¶ 02 Aswesuma was introduced by the previous Government. From the outset, we said we must go beyond that and implement a practical, ground-level programme integrated with the economy to truly end poverty. Although Aswesuma was scheduled to end in 2026, due to the “Didva” cyclone and heightened hardship in most districts, we have extended certain categories.

¶ 03 Originally, transitional until 30 April 2025; vulnerable until 31 December 2025; poor until June 2026; extreme poor until June 2026. With the amendments, poor and extreme poor are extended to June 2027; vulnerable to June 2026. We continue allowances for schoolchildren, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. About 1,920,000 persons receive Aswesuma.

¶ 04 Ending Aswesuma is not “cuts”; it is the designed phasing out of a temporary scheme. Simultaneously, we must connect people to production, provide credit to small industries, and implement a real plan to eradicate poverty. Committees are working on this. A sudden end would push the poor further down; hence the extensions.

¶ 05 No programme so far has eliminated poverty; instead, more people were added to benefits for political gain. We will end politics based on poverty. While extending Aswesuma, we are formulating programmes to integrate people into the economy and build their capacity.

¶ 06 Education is central to human capital. We brought necessary education reforms for our poor children, yet the Opposition created panic and tried to derail them. We should have communicated faster. We are now conducting awareness programmes. We invite the Opposition to bring their no-confidence motion this week and to debate education reforms openly. Learn the reforms and help end poverty sustainably.

¶ 07 Our aim is to channel children by aptitude, not just by rote exams, and produce skilled, innovative citizens. Alongside extending Aswesuma, we will launch programmes to eliminate rural poverty. Through the Praja Shakthi National Programme and other initiatives, in five years we can build a society free from poverty, with a strong education system. Despite mudslinging, people understand our direction. We will rebuild this country. Thank you.