Senior citizens to receive Rs. 1,000 allowance

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister of Finance provided for the grant of a monthly allowance of Rs. 1000 to senior citisen over 70 years to ensure their well-being of the senior citizens who have toiled to make the motherland self-sufficient in food and other necessities during their youth, said former Bingiriya Divisional secretary for Bingiriya W.E. Jayatilleke at a meeting of the Elders' Associations in the Kurunegala District held in Bingiriya recently.

All senior citizens over 70 years could apply for the special relief allowance to be granted by the government according to the social services ministry.

Those receiving public assistance and Samurdhi benefits too could apply. The grant of this allowance was launched in 2012 and would continue in the future as well.

"Applications from the senior citizens will be recommended by the Grama Niladharis and approved by the Divisional Secretaries. So that the social services officer of that area will forward them to the Ministry of Social Services for the payments to be effected.