Opposition Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that the ‘Sakwala’ and ‘Husma’ programs will resume after the local government elections. Addressing a public meeting in Nugegoda, Premadasa clarified that the initiatives were temporarily halted to avoid accusations of election-targeted donations.
“Some people are asking whether the ‘Sakwala’ and ‘Husma’ programs have been stopped. That is not the case. We have temporarily paused them to prevent claims that we are using donations to influence the elections. These programs will resume once the local government elections are over,” Premadasa stated.
The ‘Husma’ program focuses on providing essential medicines and medical supplies to hospitals, while the ‘Sakwala’ initiative aims to enhance rural education through smart classrooms and IT-based learning. A key component of this initiative is the ‘Sakwala’ bus program, which helps improve school transportation facilities in underserved areas.
These social welfare programs, which had been actively supporting rural schools and medical institutions, have remained suspended since November 2024. Premadasa’s statement confirms that the distribution of buses, school resources, and medical aid will recommence following the conclusion of the local government polls.
