Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka on Tuesday instructed all beggars, who have made begging their occupation, to give up that practice from January 1, 2018.
The Minister further instructed those with financial difficulties to meet the Charity Commissioner of the Public Assistance Department of the Colombo Municipal Council or visit the Social Empowerment and Welfare Ministry as they are ready to help them.
The Minister made these observations addressing the media at the Colombo Municipal Council Auditorium.
According to the statistics of the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry, around 600 beggars currently engage in begging within the Colombo city limits, said the Minister, adding that measures will be taken to rehabilitate the beggars. With the Charity Commissioner of the Public Assistance Department of the Colombo Municipal Council, Social Empowerment and Welfare Ministry and Southern Provincial Council, the Megapolis Ministry has also established a rehabilitation centre at a cost of Rs. 80 million at Rideegama, Ambalanthota for them.
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