First meeting for committee to eradicate poverty

Minister of Special Assignments Dr. Sarath Amunugama, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ministerial Committee appointed recently by the President on the eradication of poverty, met several knowledgeable persons today on this subject to obtain a preliminary assessment prior to the deliberations of the ministerial committee.

The meeting was attended by reputed economist Dr. G. Usvattearachchi, SANASA leader Dr. P. A. Kirivandeniya, Central Bank Assistant Governor Asoka Handagama, officials of the Department of Census and Statistics, State banks, and other concerned Government organizations. The Ministry Secretary Douglas Nanayakkara also attended the meeting.

In a wide ranging discussion the estimates of the extent of prevalent poverty, impediments to a program of eradicating it, and possible courses of action were identified. This group, which will act in an advisory capacity together with several academics who could not attend today’s meeting, will meet again in two weeks time and their views and recommendations will be placed before the Ministerial Committee.