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The Government will immediately commence a program to give a grant of Rs. 5,000 to around four million Sri Lankans who make up the vulnerable sections of the population, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, kidney patients, and Samurdhi recipients, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced yesterday.
Cabinet approval was given for the proposal by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday.
The proposal is aimed at helping those in low income groups who are the worst affected by the outbreak of the corona virus sweeping across the country.
“Due to the farsighted and timely decisions taken by the President, Sri Lanka has managed to put preventive measures in place, whereas even the most economically-powerful countries in the world have failed to take timely action. The health sector has been strengthened and essential services are in place as the world faces the worst calamity since the Second World War,” Gunawardena said.
Those who will benefit from the grant by the Government will also include farmers and fishermen who have signed up for the pension schemes.
Gunawardena said that this program would be implemented with immediate effect and the related circular had been issued by Secretary of the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera.
The payment will be given to the following categories:
The payments will be made through the District and Divisional Secretaries, Gunawardena said, adding that in some cases the money would be sent to their homes.
“Persons with disabilities will not be required to come to collect the money and nor will others who are unable to travel. The money will be sent to their homes through the Grama Sevaka Niladhari of the area,” Gunawardena said.