State Minister of Samurdhi, Self-Employment and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe says the country cannot be developed through the Samurdhi programme.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo, State Minister Semasinghe said although the Samurdhi grant will provide some relief to the recipients, the public should not rely on it.
He said the Rs.3,500 monthly-grant will not lead to prosperity.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said the government and the public must think anew and claimed that the present administration is working on reforming the Samurdhi programme.
He added the newly appointed Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa is also providing support to reform the programme.
State Minister Semasinghe said the success of the Ministry is not dependent on the involvement of more officials but through the participation of the public in development initiatives.
He also noted that the present government has granted additional powers to divisional secretaries to arrive at decisions regarding the Samurdhi programme.
State Minister Semasinghe said however the government cannot disburse the Samurdhi grant to all six million families in the country.
