’’Leave No One Behind” receives 2.3 M applications

The Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program ‘Leave No One Behind’ targeting low-income families has received 2.3 million applications.

The President's Media Office said applications are being promptly entered into the system through Welfare Benefit Information Units established in 341 Divisional Secretariats throughout the country and as of today (12), 624,714 applications have been entered into the system.

It is expected that 600,000 families have been downgraded to the low-income category, in the face of the second COVID-19 wave and the economic crisis. They too are eligible to apply for this Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program, the PMD said.

This is in addition to the 3.3 million families that are currently receiving welfare benefits or those who are already on the waiting list.

Accordingly, it is estimated that 3.9 million families would apply for this social welfare program. The Welfare Benefit Board said that the program would be implemented under six phases. The next step would be to collect data through a door-to-door campaign.

Those who are already receiving Samurdhi, Elderly, disabled and kidney patients’ welfare benefits as well as those who are seeking new welfare benefits were requested to register under this program.

The closing date for applications has been set as October 15.

 The United Nations Development Programme on Tuesday (11) warned that 54 countries including Sri Lanka would see rising poverty levels and face a rapidly deepening debt crisis.