Aswesuma re-certification removes 331,653, adds 153,511

Thursday, 29 October 2026 05:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) has removed 331,653 unqualified individuals from the Aswesuma registry and added 153,511 newly eligible beneficiaries following a re-certification process.

Under the first updated list, published yesterday, 991,800 individuals qualify for cash benefits: 628,658 in the Poor category and 363,142 in the Extremely Poor category. A further 1,391,830 were deemed unqualified. The review covered 2,383,630 individuals from over 3.12 million self-declarations, following criticism in 2023 that benefits were reaching ineligible persons.

WBB Additional Commissioner D.L.P. Rishan Dharmasena said the process had ensured benefits reached the most deserving.

Cash transfers are now limited to the two categories, after Transitional category payments ended in April 2025 and the Vulnerable category was discontinued in June 2026, following extensions granted due to disaster conditions.

The lists will be displayed at Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretariat offices, opening a 10-day window for appeals or objections before divisional committees. Payments are scheduled to begin on 27 November, with a second list to follow.