Sri Lanka, March 7 -- Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said in Parliament yesterday that the number of family units benefiting from the 'Aswesuma' welfare benefits programme will be increased to 2.4 million from June this year. The Minister said that the deadline for calling for applications for the second phase of Aswasuma programme is March 15, 2024 and those who did not apply for this in the first round can apply for this.

The State Minister said this in reply to an oral question by Member of Parliament Jagath Kumara Sumitra Arachchi.

The Minister of State who commented further said, "Around 3.7 million applications have already been received for the first phase. After considering the appeals and objections, 1.8 million famil...