Cabraal tells P’ment Rs. 138 b spent for COVID-19 relief work

The Government has spent approximately Rs. 138 billion to provide relief facilities to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the past 14 months, State Minister of Finance, Money Capital Markets and State Enterprises Reform Ajith Nivard Cabraal told

State Minister of Finance, Money Capital Markets and State Enterprises Reform Ajith Nivard Cabraal

Parliament yesterday.

He said Rs. 96 billion had been spent since March last year when the COVID-19 pandemic began and Rs. 41.9 billion so far this year to provide assistance to low-income groups impacted by the coronavirus outbreaks as well as for facilities for those who contracted the illness.

An additional sum of Rs. 7 billion was spent in October and November last year when there was a surge in COVID -19.

He said Rs. 2.8 billion was spent to provide a relief package of Rs. 10,000 to people in the worst affected districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Batticaloa and Ratnapura. The relief packages were provided through the respective District Secretaries offices.

A further Rs. 311 million was spent in supporting state institutions impacted by COVID cases and Rs. 102 million for services extended by hospitals in affected areas. A further Rs. 88 million was spent to purchase produce of COVID impacted areas. 

Cabraal also said that the Government has supported the debt moratorium scheme for affected enterprises and individuals in addition to around Rs. 190 billion via Saubagya low cost working capital loan scheme to over 50,000 enterprises and individuals.