Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the panel at the Budgeting for the Future forum at Galle Face Hotel, raising concerns over the government’s approach to selecting beneficiaries for the Aswesuma welfare program.
Premadasa criticized the lack of a structured, data-driven methodology, pointing out that no official survey was conducted to determine poverty levels. He noted that the government relied on a Learn Asia study, which estimated poverty at 33%, instead of conducting its own census to assess household income and expenditure.
He also questioned how Aswesuma could be considered a comprehensive poverty alleviation initiative without incorporating savings, investment, or production components. Premadasa urged the government to adopt a more scientific approach, referencing global poverty assessment criteria such as daily income thresholds and kilocalorie intake.