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by Nadira Gunatilleke

Social Welfare Minister Ravindra Samaraweera has proposed to the Government to include all Samurdhi beneficiaries in the special Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme set up by the Social Welfare Ministry for the self-employed persons. If this scheme is implemented nearly half of the Lankan population will have a secured future with a permanent pension, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Ms. Vijayalakshmi Jegarasasingam told the "Daily News" yesterday.

Ms. Jegarasasingam said according to the proposal made by Minister Samaraweera all Samurdhi beneficiaries should be compulsorily enrolled in the special Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme. Under this scheme they will be able to become pensionable self employed persons.

It is expected that the elders' population in Sri Lanka will be increased up to 25 per cent by 2030 and this scheme will help to provide a secure future for the growing elder population of this country. According to the Minister, Japan has a similar social security scheme and the population is immensely benefited from that scheme.

Self-employed persons in the age group of 18-59 who do not pay income tax are eligible to enrol themselves in this scheme. The enrolment of members is done at Divisional Secretariats countrywide with the involvement of district coordinating officers, social service officers, Grama Niladhari officers and Samurdhi Animators as the agents. After gaining membership by paying the first premium at the DS, the contributors' future premia could be paid at any post office.

The Social Security Board was set up in 1996 under the Ministry of Social Welfare under the terms of the Social Security Board Act No. 17 of 1996. The main aim of this Board is to implement a pension and social security benefit scheme for self employed persons and those employed in the informal sector countrywide.

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