Sri Lanka, July 16 -- The official launch of the "Artha" National Programme took place in Colombo yesterday (15).

The inaugural ceremony of the national initiative to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 to children residing in orphanages and child care centers with the aim of uplifting their lives, was held in Colombo with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

The "Artha" National Programme which launched under the guidance of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is implemented in partnership with the National Savings Bank.

From the proposed monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 allocated by the government for each child, Rs. 3,000 will be provided to the management of the...