Opposition should support Divi Neguma Dept Bill - TU leaders

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Opposition has a big responsibility to ensure that the Bill to convert the Samurdhi Authority into the Divi Neguma Department is passed, Trade Union Leaders under the Samurdhi project said.

Sri Lanka Freedom Samurdhi Managers and Coordinating Officers' Association President Gamini Abewickrama said, around 25,000 Samurdhi workers will be attached to the state service once the Divi Neguma Department is established.

He was addressing a press conference at the Economic Development Ministry on Tuesday.

The Up Country Development Authority, the Southern Development Authority, the Samurdhi Commissioner General Department, the Rural Rehabilitate Department and the Samurdhi Authority will brought under the proposed Divi Neguma Department. "Converting an Authority into Department is an historical event. As such action had not been taken up to now regarding any in relation to any institution in the country," he said.

"There are around 2,500,000 Samurdhi beneficiary families countrywide. The new move will be a blessing to these beneficiaries (converting the Samurdhi Authority into Divi Neguma Department). Around 25,000 workers are affiliated to this Authority," he said. Further he said due to the contribution of the Samurdhi Authority, the poverty level which stood at 32 percent was reduced to eight percent.

The government has launched a massive programme to reduce poverty in the country. Converting the Samurdhi Authority into Dive Neguma Department will facilitate this task.

All Ceylon Samurdhi Development and Agriculture Research Product Assistances Association, General Secretary and Western Provincial Council Member D Jagath Kumara said, the Samurdhi Programme was commenced in 1995 to eliminate poverty from the country.

There is around 23,000 Samurdhi Officers and 2,500 Samurdhi Managers at present.

"Under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, many solutions had been given to the problems of Samurdhi recipients," he said.

"An Act has been presented to Parliament to protect the Samurdhi Movement and to establish the Divi Neguma Department. Under this new move, job security will be guaranteed, while making a major contribution to the country's development," he said.