Sri Lanka, Nov. 6 -- Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti yesterday said that those accepting Aswesuma benefits should be ashamed, describing it as "legal begging."

Speaking at a public meeting, the Minister stressed that poverty eradication should not depend on long-term welfare schemes but on finding sustainable solutions.

"Aswesuma beneficiaries should be ashamed. It is like begging legally. If we want to develop as a nation, we must move away from this dependency mentality," Handunnetti said.

He added that the government has no intention of continuing the Aswesuma programme indefinitely or using it as a political slogan.

"The goal should be to end Aswesuma through a clear programme and plan. I wou...