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Investigations reveal S.B. Dissanayake embezzled Rs. 620 M from Samurdhi Fund

by Asanga Warnakulasuriya

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday pledged that the Government will deposit Rs. 620 million squandered by former Samurdhi Minister S. B. Dissanayake from the Samurdhi Social Security Fund into Samurdhi beneficiaries accounts with interest.

Addressing Samurdhi development officers at the 7th General Assembly held at the open air theatre at the Vihara Mahadevi Park, President Kumaratunga said that, "The ongoing investigations have revealed that the former minister had embezzled Rs.620 million of the hard earned money deposited by Samurdhi holders. 'We will take the necessary measures against him and the Government will deposit the entire amount with interest in their compulsory savings accounts", President said.

Although the former minister came up with the idea of introducing the Samurdhi movement, he never committed himself to the development of Samurdhi, but, for whatever reasons, he wanted the Samurdhi Ministry under his control right from the inception, President claimed.

As a move to alleviate the grievances faced by Samurdhi officers the Government hopes to elevate 27,000 officers to permanent status in the movement before end of this year, the President said. "In its 10 year history only 3,000 officers were made permanent", she added.

The President explaining the role of Samurdhi officers said that they were chosen for a specific purpose and to take over responsibility to steer the country's development process and that they should give leadership to the villagers who lack the technical and managerial skills.

An independent board to investigate inefficiency and corruption among Samurdhi officers will be set up to ensure the independence in the promotion and transfers of officers, President added.

Under the Janapubudu programme due to be launched on Friday, the Government will provide 30,000 youth with self-employment opportunities in agriculture, small and medium industries and another 20,000 will be given such opportunities in the near future, President said.

Agriculture Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Samurdhi Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi also spoke.

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