Attitude change needed to win poverty war - Wimal

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Sri Lanka has the smallest number of the poorest people in the South Asia region, said Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

He was speaking at the Women's Day celebrations at Mattakuliya with the participation of women living in Colombo.

"According to the World Bank, families which spend less than US $ 1.5 a day are considered as the poorest people. Sri Lanka has only seven percent of families under this category," he said. The minister also said that poverty is the main reason for anti- social activities. "Poverty forces people to commit crimes as well as other activities. Drug addicts are common in these families. With the economic crisis, the world has to face a lot of challenges," he said.

Weerawansa said the government like it eradicated terrorism, will also eradicate poverty. "It is important to change the attitude of people to win the poverty war. We should have a clear vision.

"In our society, housewives play a key role to manage the economy of the family. If they work with proper understanding they can win all challenges," he said.

The minister said that the Urban Habitat Development Authority has taken a number of measures to enhance the living standards of the poor people by providing self- employment loans and houses.

"Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka will become a country which will meet all these challenges successfully within 10 years. Some Western countries are trying to destroy our plans. Sri Lankans have a very big responsibility to protect the country," he said.