The Central Government’s Social Services Department has initiated a beggar census in cities across the island from 5th to 8th of September. This marks a shift in responsibility from the Provincial Council Social Services Department to the Central Government’s Social Services Department regarding the management of beggars.
Previously, beggar-related issues were under the purview of the Provincial Council Social Services Department. With this new approach, the Central Government’s Social Services Department aims to take a more direct role in addressing the problems faced by beggars and enforcing relevant ordinances.
During the census, beggars will be provided with questionnaires to gather information about their circumstances. The goal is to provide relief and support based on the collected data. The census aims to assess and classify beggars to better understand their needs and situations.
For long-term urban beggars who have made begging a way of life, officials from the Social Services Department will engage in discussions about their sources of income and explore options for reintegrating them into society, including assisting with transportation if they wish to leave the city.
Based on the classification and assessment, suitable beggars may be referred to the Ridigama Beggar Rehabilitation Center. The department intends to provide assistance and facilities to beggars based on their individual needs, helping them to transition away from begging on the streets or highways.
