Govt. to amend National Defence Fund

The Government moved two bills to amend the National Defence Fund of Act No. 9 of 1985 and the Pradeshiya Sabhas Act No. 15 of 1987.

The National Defence Fund was established in 1985 with a view to further expand the services rendered by such a fund for the welfare of the families of soldiers who have died or become disabled and to streamline its administrative functions. 

According to the proposed amendment of Section 3 of the Act, the repeal of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) will bring in the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the Minster of Defence as ex-officio members of the Board of Governors of the fund.

In 1987, the Pradeshiya Sabhas Act was constituted for the establishment of Pradeshiya Sabhas with a view to provide greater opportunities for the people to participate effectively in the decision-making process relating to administrative and development activities at a local level; to specify the powers, functions and duties of such sabhas; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

The proposed changes will amend Section 19 and 33 of the Act extending the improvement or maintenance of village work to cover estate settlements and also the integrated development of select villages to include estate settlements. (AH)