The period to send in appeals to be selected as ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries has been extended until July 10, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has announced.

The President’s office has assured that no injustice will be done to would be beneficiaries for the Aswesuma programme and called people to send in their appeals before July 10.

The President’s office was reacting after wide spread protests were reported over the selection of  names for the  Aswesuma welfare benefit programme which is scheduled to be implemented from July 1, to provide funds for the poverty stricken persons.

Objecting that the survey done to single out the most affected was  inaccurate information,  sections who previously enjoyed welfare benefits and found their names not in the new lists displayed at the Divisional Secretary office stepped out to the streets and protest in-front-of Divisional Secretariats. Mannar, Weligama, Trincomalee , Nuwara Elia, Wattala and Tangalle amongst them.

But the President’s office said some sections were trying to gain political advantage from the situation adding that a discussion will be held with all stakeholders including the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries next week.

The statement from the President’s office said the payments will be made for four segments and among them Kidney patients, elderly persons and disabled persons will be included.

Explaining the background the statement said 6728 persons including 1712 persons recruited temporarily were used to carryout the survey to determine the beneficiaries.

MP Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi raised the concern in the Parliament on Friday, requesting Prime Minister  Gunawardena to suspend Aswesuma programme until President Wickremesinghe returns to the country and takes a solid decision.

He said that the differently abled, blind, deaf, and those who suffer with chronic diseases such as kidney failures and cancer have not been included in the list.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa too elaborated on the matter, pointing out that there has been a 17% increase of poverty among Sri Lankans. As numbers have notably increased from 30 Lakhs to 70 Lakhs, Aswesuma will only be able to provide for a limited number of 12 Lakhs. “That’s the reason for these protests” he says.