Samurdhi officers stage demonstration in Colombo

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A group of Samurdhi officers who engaged in a one-day strike action launched a protest on the access road to Parliament today (August 09) General Secretary of the All Island Samurdhi Development and Agricultural Research Union A.D. Jagath Kumara said the strike action had been launched in response to the failure of the current government to implement the Samurdhi Officer's pension scheme which was introduced by the previous government. Samurdhi officers launched a demonstration opposite the Parliament round-about, presenting several common issues including the non-payment of pensions, salary increments, relief to officials who have passed away and officials who have retired and promotions. The road was blocked by Police when the protesters attempted to march towards the Parliament. Heavy traffic congestion was caused around the Parliament round-about area, due to the protest. Later the protesters marched towards Sethsiripaya and staged a demostration.. Provincial Councillor Jagath Kumara the General Secretary of the All Island Samurdhi Dev. & Agricultural Research Union stated that there are no promotions in the Samurdhi campaign and that it is stagnant  He also continued to say that the minister travels all over the country conducting media charades telling fairy tales to the public. In response, Minister of Social Empowerment P. Harrison stated that if a solution could be given to this issue by protesting like this that he would also join them. "We have to solve the issues of the Samurdhi officers before solving the Samurdhi beneficiaries issues. There are two cases filed in court. We have also requested the Attorney General to expedite the process. The Samurdhi will be provided to around 300,000 families this year and the remaining will be provided next year" added the Minister.