Cabinet approves Rs. 25.7 b to pay Rs. 5000 allowance for May

Cabinet yesterday said it has approved the allocation of Rs. 25.7 billion to pay over 5.1 million people the Rs. 5000 allowance in May. Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said the Cabinet paper submitted by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was approved and the Rs. 5000 allowance payment will be rolled out for all vulnerable communities, including senior citizens and daily wage earners. 

Cabinet approves 

The Government started the payments in April after the countrywide curfew hit thousands of families that were unable to earn due to the COVID-19 countering measures. Opposition parties have accused the Government of only giving the allowance to its supporters and using it to drum up support ahead of upcoming Parliamentary Elections. The Government has steadfastly denied the criticism.