Divi Neguma Bill a great victory for the people: Basil

Thursday, 10 January 2013 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has described the passing of the Divi Neguma Bill with a majority of 117 votes in Parliament a great victory for the progressive people of this country achieved in this decade.

Divi Neguma delights Basil

Following the two third support in Parliament for the Divi Neguma Bill on Tuesday, its champion Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was hailed by thousands of Samurdhi officials near the Parliament complex

— Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

“The nation owes its gratitude to everyone who campaigned for this since the Bill aimed at making Sri Lanka a poverty-free country,” the Minister said.

He was addressing nearly 3,000 Samurdhi officers and employees who accorded him a grand welcome near the Parliamentary Complex roundabout on Tuesday night (8) after 160 MPs voted in favour of the Bill. A large number of Samurdhi representatives from districts in the north and east including Jaffna and Batticaloa participated in the meeting.

Minister Rajapaksa added that future historians would identify MPs who voted against the Bill (aimed at eradicating poverty and giving permanent Government jobs to 27,000 Samurdhi employees) as traitors. Such persons betrayed the masses in the past, by opposing the Free Education Bill, the Paddy Lands Act, and the Employees Provident Fund Bill, he stated.

“The biggest joke in recent times is the attempt by those who tried to prevent the Bill being passed to take credit for its success,” the Minister added.

According to him, the Divi Neguma Bill will strengthen people’s power below Provincial Council level, bringing benefits to five million people. The number of direct beneficiaries will be 1.8 million persons.

Rajapaksa stressed that the one aim of the Government was to achieve further victories in accordance with the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ vision and use the people’s mandate not once or twice but 10,000 times to serve the people and eliminate poverty.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Disaster Management Deputy Minister Dulip Wijesekera, Western Provincial Minister Nimal Lansa, and Samurdhi Officers’ Association Secretary Jagath Kumara were among those who attended the event.