PM in special message to SDO's :

Samurdhi Movement would be further strengthened

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in a special message issued yesterday at the 8th National Convention of the All Island Samurdhi Development and Agricultural Research Production Assistants Officers Society gave a firm assurance that the Samurdhi Movement would be given a whole new face under his leadership to further strengthen the present programmes implemented by it.

Thousands of Samurdhi Development Officers (SDOs) and Agricultural Research Production Assistants participated at this convention held at the CMC grounds in Colombo yesterday.

In his message read out by Former Deputy Samurdhi Minister Dalas Allahapperuma the Premier said "My political manifesto has included series of chapters to uplift the Samurdhi Movement. I will take every possible step to safeguard the Samurdhi Movement as well as the dignity of the profession of all Samurdhi Development Officers (SDOs)."

The Prime Minister said SDOs cannot be considered just only as a section of Government officers. They are one of the key groups who have engaged in a most difficult task of eradicating poverty among the poor. Therefore, SDOs can be introduced as a section of young employees who love their motherland and who harbour a single political vision.

He said the Samurdhi Movement introduced in 1995 by the People's Alliance Government under the leadership of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has turned into the country's key poverty alleviation mechanism today by achieving so many victories in Samurdhi and agriculture spheres. If not for the firm dedication made by the SDOs this would not have been a successful movement.

The strength of the Samurdhi officers have become a serious challenge to the UNP. Therefore the UNP is making various threats to the SDOs that the SDOs who will not support the proposed Siyasaviya will be skinned alive. Mahinda Chintana is fully incorporated with a progressive programme to take the country forward. Therefore I have been dedicated to safeguard the Samurdhi Movement and all the employees who work within the movement.

Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said the Government has a lot of confidence on SDOs. A great of responsibility has been vested in the SDOs for the victory of UPFA Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. The threat made by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa to the SDOs has raised a question whether the UNP is going to reintroduce another terror period witnessed during his father's reign.

The Minister said their key responsibility is to safeguard the Samurdhi Movement. At present over 30,000 youth are working within the movement. Only if Mahinda Rajapakse came to power, the employment of all these youth will be safeguarded.

Fernandopulle charged that at present certain businessmen have launched various conspiracies to obstruct the victory of Rajapakse. Sirasa TV through false SMS and various other campaigns is doing this now. When Prabhakaran is attempting to defeat Mahinda Rajapakse in the North East, Maharaja has undertaken the task of defeating Rajapakse in Colombo. People will give them a fitting reply.

At present the country's majority are with Mahinda Rajapakse. Therefore, people should not be misled by these mud slinging campaigns launched by these TV channels.

Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayanth said Mahinda Chintana has introduced a new vision on the Samurdhi Movement. After November 17, country will enter into a new path under the new leadership of Mahinda Rajapakse.

Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said Rajapakse coming into power on November 18 will be an epoch making event in Sri Lanka's political history. This is because the country's leadership goes to a leader of our own who knows the pulse of the common people.

Over 25 political parties have extended their support to Rajapakse without any conditions. Whatever Government in power, people of Hambantota continuously elected Rajapakse to Parliament with a majority vote. He has been in Parliament for over 35 years.