President inaugurates Samurdhi Flag Day

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga inaugurated the Samurdhi Flag Day which coincided with International Anti-Smoking Day on Tuesday by purchasing the first flag from Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi at President's House.

Mahaweli and River Basin Development and Raja Rata Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena and Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Ministry Secretary W.K.K. Kumarasiri were also present.

A Communique issued by the Presidential Media Unit said the Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Ministry conducted this year's Samurdhi Flag Day on the theme 'let's contribute money spent on smoking to social development'. Following the sale of the first flag to the President, nearly 26,000 Samurdhi officers countrywide were due to start the sale of flags throughout the country, under the auspices of the Social Development Unit of the Samurdhi Authority.

Proceeds from the sale of flags would be utilised for the welfare of poor and widowed families in the rural areas and granting of scholarships to schoolchildren.

Apart from this, the Samurdhi authority has contributed much towards combating the liquor and smoking habits.