Samurdhi banks should not have monopoly on distributing welfare benefits
Date
2022-10-26
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Abstract
Samurdhi banks in Sri Lanka have been used exclusively as distribution points for the monthly cash transfers. Senior citizens’ allowances, PWD benefits, and kidney patients’ allowances were disbursed via post offices, State banks and divisional secretariats, respectively. There is a distinct lack of cohesion in the delivery mechanisms, a symptom of a broader issue – a fragmented social welfare system. So, streamlining delivery through a single channel looks like a good decision. While efforts to streamline delivery are commendable, giving a monopoly to Samurdhi banks is not the solution.
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Keywords
WELFARE BENEFITS, SOCIAL WELFARE, WELFARE BENEFITS DISBURSEMENT, BANKING MONOPOLY, SRI LANKA, SOUTH ASIA