Saturday, 4 January 2014 00:00
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Says formal establishment of key institution is a big boon to villagers
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday kick-started the Divi Neguma Department, saying the formal establishment of key institution would be a big boon for villagers and the country’s rapid progress.
The Minister signed the official gazette notification of Divi Neguma Department at his Ministry auditorium at the auspicious time of 10:27 a.m.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Rajapaksa recalled that the British had first established Government departments with the idea of collecting revenue from their colonies, whereas the purpose of the Divi Neguma Department was the quite the opposite. It is meant to economically strengthen the rural population through empowering community organisations.
Religious ceremonies and other events marked the occasion in 332 Samurdhi Association in 25 districts and in 1,074 Samurdhi banks island-wide. Also participating in these ceremonies were hundreds and thousands of Samurdhi beneficiaries in 14,023 Grama Seva Divisions.
The gazette notification will officially empower the department to streamline the Divi Neguma program by combining the services of five organisations, including the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority, Upcountry Development Authority and Southern Development Authority in five regions.
Minister Rajapaksa thanked the President Rajapaksa, all MPs, Ministers, provincial councillors and others who helped to make a success of the Divi Neguma National Development program launched in 2011.
The Divi Neguma Department has been established to raise the living standards of 1.8 million families and thereby benefit five million persons in accordance with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ vision and make Sri Lanka a poverty-free country by 2016. For this purpose food security will be ensured and micro finance, physical and social infrastructure facilities will be provided to strengthen livelihoods and development at community level.
Following the passing of the Divi Neguma Bill with a majority of 117 votes on 8 January 2013 in accordance with the recommendations the Supreme Court made, 26,000 persons employed by the Samurdhi Authority and the five affiliated organisations will become entitled to all the salaries and benefits given to other Government employees.
All Ceylon Agricultural Research Association President Jagath Kumara said that his association unconditionally supported the Divi Neguma Bill.
Economic Development Deputy Ministers Susantha Punchinilame and Muththu Sivalingam, Ministry of Economic Development Secretary P.B. Jayasundera and other Ministry secretaries, heads of State corporations, Government officials, provincial councillors and Pradeshiya Sabha chairmen were among those who participated in the event held at the Economic Development Ministry.
