3,060 villages selected for empowerment of widows

M.I. Farook - Batticaloa district group corr.

The Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure are set to implement social development works in the Eastern Province.

Houses will be set up in the area for the benefit of the widows, who lost their husbands due to disasters, natural deaths and conflict situations at Sammanthurai, under the 'Dhiriya Piyasa' programme introduced by the government.

Under this programme, 12 houses will be set up at Sammanthurai village for the widows. The Samurdhi Authority Board will assist Rs. fifty thousand as grant for the construction of each house. In addition, Rs. 50,000 interest free loan is also being arranged for the construction of the houses.

Islandwide, 3,060 villages have been selected for the empowerment of widows and basic facilities are to be given to these villagers, a Social Development official said.Some of the houses which were completed earlier, were handed over to some of the widows.

Divisional Secretary, Sammanthurai, A. Mansoor was the chief guest and handed over the keys to the beneficiaries.