Empowerment of Samurdhi recipients a success

Nimal Wijesinghe, Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The empowerment of Samurdhi recipients in Anuradhapura district has been a success.

The number of Samurdhi beneficiaries taken into account in 2008 is 80,647 as against the 94,000 recipients registered in the previous year. R. A. Karunapala, the Anuradhapura District Samurdhi Commissioner told Daily News that due to the upper income levels attained by these 14,000 families resulting from successful self-employment ventures and employment opportunities secured in both government and private sectors.

They have opted out of Samurdhi benefits. Karunapala said it has been estimated that Rs. 480 million is required for the execution of Samurdhi benefit cards in Anuradhapura district in 2008.

The Anuradhapura District Samurdhi Commissioner said the Samurdhi recipients in the district have been able to save Rs. 1,000 million at the 54 zonal Samurdhi Banks in the region. More than 40,000 apply for loans mainly for livelihood development annually even non-Samurdhi recipients who are below poverty level are facilitated to enjoy the micro-interest loans for their sustenance.

Karunapala stated that no new Samurdhi beneficiaries are registered in 2008.