On 28th May, the government announced that an allowance of Rs. 5,000would be provided to those who have lost their income due to the current Covid-19 epidemic condition, from month of June.
This also included disabled, elders, farmers and the Samurdhi beneficials as per practice. Even by today (17), this allowance of Rs. 5,000 has been given only to Samurdhi beneficials. In addition, it has been started to given to the fishermans from June 15.
The people of the country who have been struggling while Covid 19 outbreak for more than a year have been given Rs. 5,000 on two previous occasions due to the imposition of curfew. Thereafter, the government had hastily taken steps to provide Rs. 5,000 to Samurdhi beneficials before the Sinhala New Year.
A year ago, the government distributed Rs. 5,000 to Samurdhi beneficials displaying banners and also with the note of manifesto – “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”.
With the beginning of third wave of Covid after the New Year, all daily income earners were confined to their homes due to travel restrictions. They were facing severe economic difficulties. As the travel restriction extended week by week, the government once again promised to give Rs.5,000 to the people.
But today it has become a nightmare for the underprivileged. They have been waiting for the last few days for allowance of Rs.5,000 to fulfill needs in household. But their hopes are fading now. Now, the government is not even talking about this issue.
Meanwhile, according to a concept of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing, it has been decided to beautify and develop 100 cities across the country at once.
The relevant proposal has been submitted to the Cabinet by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for approval and cities which have not been properly developed for many years are plan to be beautified and developed under this project.
The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing stated that approximately Rs. 20 million will be allocated for each city and Rs. 2000 million will be spent for 100 cities.
We have to ask from the government what is more important here? To beautify the cities or to satisfy the hunger of the poors. While they may be able to do something for low-income families with the money they spend on this, they may not do so because an election is not round the corner.
-Shani-