Divineguma Bill does not involve any hidden political agenda -
Minister Aluthgamage
Ganga Ihala group corr
The Divi Neguma Bill does not involve any hidden political agenda. It
is a programme to develop the village and grant permanent jobs to rural
youths and make them public servants, said Sports Minister Mahindananda
Aluthgamage. The minister said so addressing a ceremony to mark the
International Elders’ Day held at the Pasbage Korale Pradeshiya Sabha in
Nawalapitiya recently.
|
A senior citizen receiving an award from Sports Minister
Mahindananda Aluthgamage. (Picture by Jagath Janapriya, Ganga
Ihala group cor) |
Minister Aluthgamage said that the Divi Neguma Bill was presented to
offer job permanency to Samurdhi Development officers throughout the
country who had rendered yeoman service during the last 15 years.
“Certain people who were opposed to this progressive legislation were
trying to create a dispute between the government and the judiciary.
The intelligentsia which administered the country today were created
by the present day elders. Therefore they should be given all the
facilities and security needed in their eve of life”.
Speaking further, the minister said, “Contrary to the care elders had
given their children in the past, today's parents tended to neglect
their children during their childhood. Most parents leave for work in
the morning, leaving their children behind in Day Care Centres”.
“There were reports that certain attendants at these centres put
their charges to sleep by giving them a certain medical syrup to make
them drowsy.”
As senior citizens you all have special talents and skills. So if you
want to join us and enjoy yourselves in the evening of your life, you
should make a request for a recreation centre to display your talents so
that I can arrange to set-up a suitable building close to the
Nawalapitiya town,” the Minister said.
H.D. Erawwala, the senior most citizen of the Pasbage Korale, W.A.D.
Premawathie of Weligodawatta who had given birth to the largest number
of children, and P. Gonadeniya and Ms Gonadeniya who have the most
number of children in the Armed Forces received special awards from
Minister Aluthgamage at this ceremony. |
