Cancelled Sumurdhi benefits restored in Dedigama

Samurdhi beneficiaries in the Dedigama Electorate, whose Samurdhi Relief was cancelled owing to political reasons during the UNP regime, made representations after the UPFA Government came into power this time and were restored to beneficiary status recently.

These families, 4000 in number, continuously made representations to Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Seneviratne, who appointed a Committee of Inquiry under the Warakapola Divisional Secretary.

On the Committee's findings, their Samurdhi benefits were restored making 500 more families entitled to these benefits additionally.

At a ceremony held at the Warakapola Divisional Secretariat recently to distribute Samurdhi benefits to the victimised families, Minister Athauda said, "Samurdhi allowance is not a mere dole out but a helping hand to alleviate poverty as the beneficiaries become entitled to loan facilities at a nominal interest rate to start small-scale enterprises and farms.

Several Pradeshiya Sabha members of the electorate and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Member Udayakantha Gunatilleke participated.