Accordingly 1300 qualified youth have been recruited from all parts of the Northern Province as Samurdhi Development Officers. These youth will be given training prior to taking up post in their respective areas where they will facilitate the distribution of funds to beneficiaries and also encourage them to actively involve in the national development activities like in other provinces.
A six day training programme is presently underway for these new Samurdhi Development Officers at Vavuniya, Mulaithivu and Mannar District Secretariats.
The Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority was established in 1996 through an Act of Parliament. It strives to empower the disadvantaged groups in the society and build a prosperous Sri Lanka through sustainable development projects. It has actively contributed to bring in positive changes in the economic and social levels of low income families throughout the country. Assistance is provided for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, small industries, business entrepreneurship and other sectors. The Samurdhi banks promote savings and provide loans for selected low income families at concessionary rates.
This is yet another step under the National Reconciliation process that has been taken to ensure equal facilities and opportunities reach all citizens irrespective of regional or other differences.
As a symbolic gesture 100 Samurdhi Development Officers for the Jaffna District were given letters of appointment by Hon Parliamentarian Namal Rajapakse MP.
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