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No coupons, no aid
By Asif Fuard
Over two hundred displaced people from Hambantota petitioned the Prime Minister, stating that they were not receiving their due aid from the Grama Sevaka. The petitioners claim that even though the Hambantota West Grama Sevaka had issued certified letters, it was not accepted by authorities distributing the weekly grant.

The Sunday Times learns that the Hambantota West Grama Sevaka M. Rathnasiri has not reported to work and there was no one acting for him thus depriving hundreds of the displaced of their relief coupons. Of the 2,600 displaced families in Hambantota West only 1,200 had received the coupons.

Rohini Kumari who is dependent on the relief coupon told The Sunday Times that she had not received the coupon for the past two weeks and the Grama Sevaka had issued a certified letter as a substitute.

"When I tried to collect my aid with the letter they refused the aid unless I have the relief coupon. Over two hundred people didn't get aid because the Grama Sevaka had run out of coupons," she said.

"We contacted the Prime Minister's office. We even petitioned the Premier but nothing has happened. If the Government pretends that nothing has happened we will take to the streets. We hope to meet the Government Agent on Monday," she said.

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