The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s special debate is on the Aswesuma welfare payment scheme. The Opposition largely avoided this topic, perhaps because after 76 years of building a capitalist economy, one outcome is poverty: 2.4 million families were driven into poverty. If they discuss it, it reflects on them.

¶ 02 One Member asked us to think in new ways—unaware that this Government is already implementing major measures to eradicate rural poverty by 2030, and a significant part of that plan is underway this year.

¶ 03 In Budget 2026, Rs. 240 billion is allocated for Aswesuma. This year we will support 1.9 million poor people, and 1,270,000 elderly, disabled and CKD patients with necessary allowances and care plans. Under Aswesuma, Rs. 6,000 is provided for school supplies to low-income students, including those in 3,000 smaller schools, plus shoe vouchers and school meals in primary grades to improve nutrition. Beyond allowances, we are building a production economy, engaging those aged 18–60 in productive work and ensuring national wealth generated returns to those involved. This programme is being deployed across roughly 14,000 GN divisions, hence the continued allocation in 2026.

¶ 04 We also fund rural housing, local infrastructure, aid for MSMEs affected by the “Diththa” cyclone, increases to daily wages for labourers, and revitalization of rural livelihoods. To the Opposition: the days of politics built on drug trafficking and exploiting the poor are ending.

¶ 05 Thank you.