COLOMBO – Sri Lanka needs an updated data system for selecting eligible beneficiaries under the Aswesuma welfare scheme, the World Bank said, offering to provide the necessary technical support and international expertise for the update.
During a recent meeting with Members of Parliament and officials from the Ministry of Finance, World Bank representatives highlighted that a modernized social security data system would enable the accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families.
According to a statement issued by Parliament, the representatives pointed out that the mere inclusion of citizens’ information in a database does not automatically make them eligible for Aswesuma benefits. “The data must be verified and analyzed to correctly identify those who qualify for assistance,” they said.
They further noted that developing a robust social security data infrastructure would be a productive long-term investment for the country, stressing the importance of continuous updates to maintain accuracy and relevance.
Meanwhile, several MPs proposed that Aswesuma beneficiaries should be selected through local-level committees, and that the final list of selected beneficiaries be publicly displayed within each village to ensure transparency.
Officials involved in the program’s implementation said they continue to face challenges due to inadequate information and guidance provided to field-level officers, including Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharis, which has hampered effective execution of the welfare scheme.
-ENCL
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