By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka’s Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) has removed 331,653 individuals deemed ineligible for welfare assistance from the Aswesuma registry while approving 153,511 additional beneficiaries following a comprehensive review of applications.
The board has reportedly published its first revised beneficiary list on Wednesday (28), confirming that 991,800 individuals qualify for cash assistance under the “Poor” and “Extremely Poor” categories.
According to the revised figures, 628,658 individuals have qualified under the Poor category, while another 363,142 have been classified as Extremely Poor. However, 1,391,830 applicants were found ineligible for benefits following the reassessment.
The review had covered 2,383,630 individuals from more than 3.12 million self-declarations submitted for consideration. The reassessment followed public criticism in 2023 over concerns that welfare assistance was being distributed to individuals who did not meet the eligibility criteria.
WBB Additional Commissioner D.L.P. Rishan Dharmasena has reportedly described the outcome as a significant achievement in directing public assistance towards those most in need. “We believe we have achieved a major victory by ensuring that Aswesuma benefits reach the most eligible beneficiaries, the most deserving individuals, and those who genuinely ought to receive them,” he has been quoted as saying.
Payments restricted to two categories
Under the revised arrangements, cash benefits are being limited to individuals qualifying under the Poor and Extremely Poor categories.
Payments to beneficiaries in the Transitional category had ended in April 2025, while assistance under the Vulnerable category was discontinued in June 2026 following earlier extensions granted in response to disaster-related circumstances.
The latest revision is intended to establish a more targeted beneficiary list, ensuring that limited public funds are directed towards households meeting the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Ten-day window for appeals
The updated lists will be displayed at Grama Niladhari offices and Divisional Secretariats, allowing applicants to examine the findings and challenge decisions through appeals or objections.
The public will have 10 days to submit their complaints to the relevant authorities, after which divisional committees will consider the submissions.
WBB Chairman Nimal Kotawalagedara has noted that applicants must adhere to the deadline, as the board is working towards commencing payments under the revised list within November. “Any objections or appeals must strictly be lodged within the designated time frame. We will not be able to extend this period, as we are strictly required to begin payments under the new list within November,” he has said.
The board plans to begin disbursements under the revised beneficiary list on November 27, while a second list is expected to be published in the near future.
The review marks another step in the government’s efforts to refine the Aswesuma welfare programme, with the appeals process providing an opportunity for applicants who believe they have been wrongly excluded to seek reconsideration before payments begin.
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