Politicians, officials must ensure success of Govt welfare initiatives – Saman Rathnapriya

Presidential Trade Unions DG Saman Rathnapriya underscored the crucial role played by both political activists and the Government officials in guaranteeing the success of programmes like Aswasuma, Urumaya and Kandukara Dashakaya, initiated under the vision of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, necessitates united backing to adequately address the needs of the people.

Rathnapriya made these remarks at a recent conference convened at the Presidential Secretariat. The purpose of the conference was to apprise political activists, TU leaders, and representatives of civil organisations about the Urumaya, Aswasuma and Kandurata Dashakaya programmes outlined in the 2024 Budget under the guidance of the President.

The Presidential Trade Union Relations Division organised this awareness conference, with plans for its expansion across the country in the future.

Rathnapriya urged attendees to set aside personal political interests and collaborate for the success of these programmes, emphasizing their critical role in bolstering the nation’s economy and the welfare of its citizens.

DG Rathnapriya also said:

“As we are aware, provisions were allocated in the 2024 budget by the President, who also serves as the Finance Minister, for the implementation of numerous significant programmes. Presently, these programmes are in operation across the country. We specifically wish to bring to your attention three of these major programmes namely, Urumaya, Aswasuma, and Kandurata Dashakaya. We have selected these programmes for their significant impact on the people of our country.

“Through the Urumaya programme, landless individuals in our country are granted free land rights, benefiting 2 million people. This initiative marks a historic milestone unprecedented in the history of our country.

“In the initial phase of the Urumaya programme, 10,000 individuals have already received land deeds, with plans underway to expedite the process for the remaining beneficiaries. The cooperation of both Government officials and politicians is indispensable for the successful implementation of this endeavour.

“Public motivation is imperative for the successful implementation of the Urumaya, Aswasuma, and Kandurata Dashakaya programmes. Without public enthusiasm, achieving success with these initiatives becomes challenging. Therefore, it’s crucial to raise awareness among the public regarding these programmes. The support of political activists is vital in garnering public backing, thus enabling the realization of the President’s concept.

“Today, the Aswesuma programme has been initiated. Previously, the maximum amount received under the Samurdhi programme was Rs. 8,000. However, under the Aswesuma programme, individuals can receive benefits up to a maximum of Rs. 15,000. The recent economic crisis has led to a rise in poverty, with job losses reaching 500,000. Acknowledging the responsibility of the Government to address these challenges, efforts have been made to implement solutions. However, the President aims not only to provide immediate relief but also to empower individuals economically. The ultimate objective of this programme is to create self-sustaining communities. Therefore, it is imperative for us to act as facilitators in achieving this goal.

“There are plans to launch the Kandurata Dashakaya programme across 10 districts. This initiative will extend as a decade-long programme encompassing 89 Divisional Secretariat Divisions, aligned with the selected districts. The commencement of the Kandurata Dashakaya programme is scheduled for this year, focusing on ten key areas such as healthcare, access to potable water, sanitation, and road infrastructure.

The success of all these programmes rests upon each of us. It’s incumbent upon us all to execute the concept of the President in a manner that prioritizes the country’s interests over personal political affiliations, ensuring maximum benefits for the people”.

Senior Economic Adviser to the President Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga also spoke at the conference, highlighting that the country’s economy had attained stability under the President’s sound economic initiatives.

He emphasized that the country, previously crippled by an unprecedented economic crisis spanning 75 years, is now progressing in a positive path. He highlighted that the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which had plummeted to US$ 19 million in July 2022, are projected to reach a substantial level of US$ 4.5 billion by February 2024. Additionally, he underscored the achievements of the Central Bank in this regard.

Senior Additional Secretary (Agricultural Productivity and Lands) Chandra Herath, Additional Secretary to the President (Food Security and Infrastructure Development) Varnan Perera and Welfare Benefits Board Chairman Jayantha Wijeratne also spoke.

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