A special discussion on the strategic approach to the national program of eradicating poverty from Sri Lanka was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday.

Ministers Sarath Amunugama and Sajith Premadasa, MP Ven. AthuraliyeRathana Thero, Secretary to the President P.B.Abeykoon, secretaries of ministries and senior officials participated in the discussion.

The Government aims to achieve the global sustainable development goals and build a poverty-free Sri Lanka by 2030. Many programs are scheduled to be implemented next year to eradicate poverty.

President Sirisena at the UN General Assembly this year declared that he has designated year 2017 is the year to alleviate poverty as the government has given priority to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030.

Spearheading the program to eliminate poverty following his declaration the President appointed a special committee to implement and oversee the approaches and programs on poverty alleviation.

At the discussion the President pointed out to the officials that all Government institutions should fulfil their duty on implementing short term programs in this regard from the first week of January 2017.

The President instructed every ministry to implement projects relevant to the poverty alleviation program in the first week of January, and the Committee appointed to continuously scrutinise those projects and make the necessary coordination with those institutions.

President invites Andhra Pradesh CM to attend two year anniversary celebrations

President Maithripala Sirisena has invited Chief Minister of India’s Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu to attend the official celebrations marking the completion of two years in office as President.

The President has also invited the Chief Minister to address the nation on development, Indian media reported.

In his letter to Chandrababu, the Sirisena lauded the former’s policies in reducing poverty in the state and commended his developmental schemes for better village administration as well as his pension and food processing programs.

The President also expressed his wish to maintain close ties with Andhra Pradesh.