The government will increase the monthly allowances given to vulnerable groups, including disabled individuals, kidney patients, and elderly citizens, effective January 2024, State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe told reporters in Colombo on Thursday (08).

Now, the monthly allowances for kidney patients and disabled persons will be increased from 5,000 rupees (about 16 U.S. dollars) to 7,500 rupees (about 24 dollars), he said.

The elderly citizens’ allowances will increase from 2,000 rupees (about 6 dollars) to 3,000 rupees (about 9 dollars), he added.

The increased payments will be implemented retrospectively from January 2024.Minister Semasinghe said these enhanced allowances are scheduled to commence on April 1