'Safeguarding Samurdhi a constant struggle'

The UNP is getting ready to repeal the Samurdhi programme and give away the money saved by poor in Samurdhi Banks to racketeers. We have to wage a continuous struggle to safeguard Samurdhi Movement from the treacherous acts of the UNP, said Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

She was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony for the proposed Matuwagala Samurdhi Bank Society Building.

When attempts are made to uplift the poor community,immediate steps should be taken to develop the village. At present, the Samurdhi movement has entered into a new path to turn the village as one of the decisive factor of country's development process,she said.

The Minister said, "providing facilities to remote villages will directly help develop such villages and promote education activities of the students of low income families in a more productive manner. . Samurdhi is the only key institution which assists the poor to stand on their own feet."

The Minister said the former UNF Government attempted to give the money deposited in State banks to their racketeer henchmen.

The building, estimated to a cost of Rs.1.3 million will be constructed by the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority under it's programme implemented to uplift the Samurdhi movement.

Minister Wanniarachchi together with Samurdhi, Power and Energy Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage also laid foundation stones for several accelerated electricity schemes to be commenced under Chinese grants of Rs. 4 million in Deheragoda, Galpottahena, Jinarathana Mawatha and Boralugoda villages.