House committee asks for far-reaching changes to Aswesuma selection process

The Committee on Ways and Means has called for a new mechanism to identify beneficiaries of the Aswesuma Social Security Programme and dispense assistance.

- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO

The Committee, chaired by Wijesiri Basnayake, emphasised the need for far reaching changes to the current setup when the top management of the Welfare Benefits Board recently briefed the lawmakers on the current payment scheme and operational issues.

The Committee questioned the current system in place, pointing out the deficiencies in the selection process. It was critical of the selection of Aswesuma beneficiaries on the basis of 22 criteria.

The parliamentary committee has proposed the creation of a Social Registry covering the entire population to identify those who required assistance through the Aswesuma Social Security Programme. At the moment, only those who require assistance register themselves.

Several weeks before the top management of the Welfare Benefits Board appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means, the World Bank representatives discussed matters related to the Aswesuma Social Security Programme with relevant members of Parliament.

The World Bank delegation included Francesca Lamanna, Senior Economist for the Social Security Project, and Srinivas Varadan, Senior Social Security Specialist, along with several others.