Minister Pavithra challenges UNP for debate on Samurdhi programme

Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has challenged the UNP to an open debate on the Samurdhi movement without insulting the nearly 9 million Samurdhi beneficiaries by making irresponsible statements.

In a media release issued yesterday, Minister Wanniarachchi vehemently condemned the statements made by the UNP without any proper understanding on the Samurdhi programme.

The release said the Samurdhi movement has commenced a series of projects to alleviate poverty among the poor and redeem the poor from the subsidised mentality. In addition, the Samurdhi programme provides low interest credit facilities to the poor to construct houses while a special housing project has also been implemented to provide shelter to low income families.

Meanwhile, the Samurdhi movement has commenced projects at each Grama Niladari divisions to upgrade the infrastructure facilities in rural areas. However, the duplicitous politics of the UNP cannot see these developments within the Samurdhi movement.

Minister Wanniarachchi has challenged the UNP to pinpoint if there was any movement in this country which provides credit facilities to the poor solely based on their personal guarantee . These attempts made by the UNP to humiliate the Samurdhi movement indicates their sole intention of grabbing power by turning the country's poor into beggars.