'Divi Neguma Bill, a great victory for the people'

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

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

The Minister said this when nearly 3,000 Samurdhi officers and employees accorded him a grand welcome near the Parliamentary Complex roundabout on Tuesday night after 160 MPs voted in favour of the Bill.

A large number of Samurdhi representatives from districts in the North and the 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 had betrayed the masses in the past, by opposing the Free Education Bill, the Paddy Lands Act and the Employees Provident Fund Bill, according to him.

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 said. The Divi Neguma Bill would 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.

He stressed that one aim of the Government was to achieve further victories in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana 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, Samurdhi Officers Association Secretary Jagath Kumara were among those who attended the event.