Financial Assistance For Self- Employment To Single Parent Families

(October 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A function was held at the Auditorium of the Urban Development Authority, ‘Sethsiripaya’, Battaramulla, on the 10th of October, 2008 for granting of financial assistance for re-habilitation of single family parents under difficult circumstances, in accordance with a concept by Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare. The function was headed by V. Jegarasasingham, the Ministry Secretary.

At this function, Rs. 4.3 Million, at the rate of Rs. 10,000/= per family was granted to 43 families selected from 28 Divisional Secretariat Divisions and those of families of the imprisoned. A further sum of money exceeding Rs. 116,000/= was granted among 03 groups of families under difficult circumstances for self employment, selected from Ehatu-wewa and Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

Addressing the meeting, Jegarasasingham said that the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare has initiated many a programme for rehabilitation of families under difficult circumstances and among them, Counseling and granting of financial assistance for self employment could be depicted as premier projects. She also said that attention of her Minister, Douglas Devananda and that of his Deputy, Hon. Lionel Premasiri has been specially directed towards these projects.

Nelson Edirisinghe, Media Secretary to the Minister, speaking on behalf of the Minister stated that his Minister was very much concerned about the single parent families under difficult circumstances, as the prevalent war in the North-East has made many a family subjected to this situation. Speaking further Edirisinghe stated that Social Service officers and Social Development officers attached to Divisional Secretariats are called upon to perform a considerable volume of service in this regard. He added that His Excellency the President too is very much concerned about the well being of this sector of people.

L.H. Thilakaratne, Director Counseling Division of the Ministry, Wijeratne, General Manager, Social Security Board, Jayamanne, Director, National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities and many others also addressed this meeting. - Sri Lanka Guardian