Sri Lanka Aswesuma $100M ADB Livelihood Grant Scheme 2026: Complete Guide

To strengthen social safety nets and empower low-income families across the island, the Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has approved a new $100 Million Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded initiative.

Titled the Macro-Recovery Sector Development Program for Promoting Resilience and Inclusive Economic Opportunities, this program runs from November 2026 to October 2031. It provides direct start-up grants, entrepreneurship training, and social care infrastructure to low-income households.

1. Key Highlights & Livelihood Seed Capital (LKR 200,000)

The core focus of this 5-year initiative is to help Aswesuma beneficiaries transition from welfare dependency to sustainable self-employment:

• 30,000 Selected Families: A total of 30,000 Aswesuma beneficiary families across 6 target districts will receive specialized entrepreneurship and skill development training.

• LKR 200,000 Seed Capital: Families that successfully complete the training will receive an initial capital grant of LKR 200,000 provided in two installments to establish or expand small businesses.

• Market & Financial Access: Beneficiaries will gain direct linkages to the Entrepreneurship Development Council, commercial credit channels, and market networks.

2. Target Districts

The initial phase of the program focuses on six key districts facing heightened economic and climate vulnerabilities:

1. Batticaloa

2. Kilinochchi

3. Mullaitivu

4. Nuwara Eliya

5. Kegalle

6. Matale

3. Social Care Infrastructure & System Reforms

Beyond direct financial assistance, the ADB-supported package introduces structural enhancements to Sri Lanka’s social care framework:

• Elderly Care Facilities: Construction of 5 modern adult day-care centers to support senior citizens and provide relief to family caregivers.

• Care Workforce Training: Formulation of service standards and specialized training for elderly and community care workers.

• Digitalization & Data Protection: Upgrading national social protection databases, cybersecurity protocols, and case management systems for seamless distribution of future welfare benefits.

4. How Beneficiaries Will Be Selected

Beneficiary identification and verification will be conducted through local Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladhari divisions within the six specified districts. Registered Aswesuma households within these areas will be prioritized based on poverty indices and entrepreneurship capacity.