Divi Neguma Dept, a boon for villagers

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa recalled that the British had first established government departments to collect revenue from their colonies whereas the purpose of the Divi Neguma Department was the opposite. It is meant to economically strengthen the rural population through empowering community organisations.

Minister Rajapaksa was addressing those present at the issuing of the Gazette notification, formally establishing the Divi Neguma Development Department at the Ministry auditorium. The Minister signed the notification.

Religious ceremonies and other events marked the occasion in 332 Samurdhi Associations in 25 districts and in 1,074 Samurdhi banks island-wide.

Also participating were 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.

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 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 January 8, 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 the salaries and benefits given to other government employees.