Divi Neguma Act to be amended

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake yesterday revealed that the Government will amend the Divi Neguma Act in order to continue its donation schemes under the Samurdhi label.

Addressing a media briefing yesterday, the Minister said he expects to table the Draft Bill regarding the amendment as soon as possible.

“We hope to strengthen Samurdhi donations through this amendment and it will benefit over 1.4 million Samudhri beneficiaries,” he stated. Dissanayake also said the Government seeks the best opportunities to invest Rs. 100 million of Samurdhi funds in order to obtain higher interest.

“The investment benefits will be equally distributed among all beneficiaries and Samurdhi Officers,” he noted.

The Minister added that his Ministry is concerned about the Samurdhi officers who faced difficulties due to the administration change and would do what it can to encourage them.

“Most officers were transferred and some were terminated. We asked all of them to raise their grievances directly with the Ministry. We will provide realistic solutions for them,” he said.

Dissanayake further revealed the Ministry’s plans to introduce a new loan scheme which can be offered to grassroots level rural entrepreneurs.

“We are supposed to give loans to small-scale industries with minimum interest under agreements with rural welfare societies and foundations. Those parties will be the link between the Government and the entrepreneurs,” he explained.