Welfare program to help handicraftsmen
Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE
The National Crafts Council of Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprise Development Ministry has commenced a welfare program to
upgrade the living standards of elderly and disabled handicraftsmen,
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas
Devananda said.
Minister Devananda said so participating at the inauguration ceremony
of the welfare program yesterday at the Ministry. Under this welfare
program, National Crafts Council (NCC) will grant a Rs 2,000 monthly
allowance for each selected handicraftsman.
At the initial stage five selected handicraftsmen were offered
financial support by the Minister.
In addition handicraftsmen who are suffering from illnesses will be
given a financial assistance for obtaining medical treatment, the
Minister added.
Under the second step of the welfare program many handicraftsmen will
receive financial benefits. The NCC allocates funds for this program
through the 'Welfare Program Fund' which was formed to financially
assist handicraftsmen.
A beneficiary of the welfare program K Winefreeda Perera of Gampaha
said that this is a great service for needy handicraftsmen who dedicated
their whole lives for the handicrafts sector.
She said that she resides in an elderly home as she is helpless. |