A special discussion between the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is also Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the representatives of the Island wide Samurdhi Development and Agricultural Research Officers Association on several issues faced by Samurdhi Development Officers was held at the Ministry of Public Administration on 23.01.2023.

In this discussion, the representatives of the trade unions explained to the Prime Minister regarding a number of demands including the issue of payment of 60 percent contribution of the Employee Provident Fund which is payable to the government through the retirement gratuity after the retirement, recovering the arrears of widow and widower and orphans pension contributions from the retirement gratuity, the application of the mandatory retirement age set by the government equally to the Samurdhi Development Officers and the decision to pay the elderly and disabled allowances again through Samurdhi Banks.

Paying attention in this regard, the Prime Minister gave instructions to the Secretary and ministry officials to expeditiously provide solutions to the problems faced by the relevant officials considering the current economic situation in the country.

Mr. Jagath Kumara MP, Mr. Neel Bandara Hapuhinna Secretary of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council and Local Government and Mrs. Yamuna Perera Secretary Women and Children Affairs and Social Empowerment Ministry were present on this occasion.