Sri Lanka continues to face a deepening poverty crisis, as rising living costs and limited economic opportunities push more families into hardship. According to the World Bank (2024), around 24.5% of Sri Lankans live below the international poverty line of USD 3.65 per day, compared to 11.3% in 2019. The national poverty line has now reached nearly Rs. 16,000 per person per month, reflecting the steep rise in living expenses. For many households, daily survival remains uncertain, while persistent issues such as child malnutrition, unemployment, and income inequality continue to undermine social progress and human dignity.
In a democratic society, the protection of economic and social rights is central to upholding human rights. Every citizen has the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to food, housing, and decent work. At the Right to Life Human Rights Centre, we have continuously worked to promote these rights and to assess how effectively state mechanisms respond to the economic vulnerabilities of citizens.
In recent years, the government has introduced welfare initiatives such as Aswesuma and other social protection schemes aimed at supporting low-income families. As of late 2024, approximately 1.7 million families were beneficiaries of Aswesuma, with plans to expand the programme to 2.4 million families by mid-2025.
Our study on the implementation and effectiveness of Aswesuma welfare scheme that, while these programs provide vital short-term relief, they often foster a dependency mentality that limits self-reliance and long-term growth. Instead of serving as a pathway out of poverty, prolonged welfare dependency risks creating a social group whose economic survival depends largely on state benefits.
Read our full report here: https://www.right2lifelanka.org/aswesumarelief-or-deception/
While welfare assistance is crucial for ensuring survival and stability, it cannot alone break the cycle of poverty. Sustainable poverty reduction requires a shift from dependence to empowerment, from relief to resilience.
Entrepreneurship: A Human Rights Approach to Economic Empowerment
Entrepreneurship represents one of the most effective and dignified paths to overcoming poverty. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) already form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, accounting for over 75% of businesses and nearly half of total employment. Strengthening entrepreneurship, particularly among women, youth, and marginalized communities, not only generates income but also reinforces the right to work, the right to participate in economic life, and the right to self-determination.
Access to finance, training, markets, and mentorship is essential to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable livelihoods. A supportive environment for micro and small enterprises can enable vulnerable individuals to shift from being recipients of aid to creators of opportunity, restoring both dignity and autonomy.
During our field studies, we met individuals who refused to be defined by dependency. Through small-scale entrepreneurship, they have rebuilt their lives, strengthened their families, and contributed meaningfully to their local economies, proving that empowerment, not dependency, is the true path out of poverty.
A Call to Action on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
As the world commemorates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, Sri Lanka is reminded of the urgent need to move beyond short-term welfare and toward rights-based, empowerment-driven approaches to development.
Poverty eradication must go hand in hand with respect for human dignity, equality, and participation. It must aim to build a resilient and inclusive economy where every citizen has the freedom and opportunity to shape their own future.
A nation cannot overcome poverty through welfare alone; it must empower its people to stand on their own feet. By transforming welfare recipients into entrepreneurs, Sri Lanka can take a decisive step toward realizing the economic rights of all citizens and ensuring that the fight against poverty becomes a journey toward dignity, independence, and justice.