More benefits for Samurdhi officers - Deputy Minister
Dharmasiri Wijeratne Hanwella group corr
‘The government has decided to grant full pension rights as well as
several other benefits to Samurdhi Development Officers who steered the
country’s economic development drive by taking the Samurdhi Movement to
the people’s doorsteps,’ said Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Mahinda
Yapa Abeywardena.
He was addressing a meeting of Samurdhi development officers attached
to Seethavake and Padukka Divisional Secretariats, at Kosgama recently.
The meeting was organized by Avissawella SLFP organizer, WPC member
Sumith Wijayamuni Soysa. The Deputy Minister said that soon after ending
the war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa focused attention on the problem of
winning the country’s economic war.
‘Under the ministry a new government department called the Divineguma
Integrated Rural Development Department was set up to accommodate
Samurdhi development officers who are entitled to receive full pension
rights in terms of a Cabinet memorandum approved by the Cabinet of
ministers,’ he said.
The deputy minister said that Rs 140 million has been allocated for
the payment of annual increments while Rs 300 million for payment of
distress loans to Samurdhi development officers. Funds for housing loans
will also be released shortly.
‘All officers in Grade 6 will be appointed to grade 5 while degree
holders will be promoted as Samurdhi Managers,’ he said. |