An awareness meeting for the staff of the Samurdhi Development Department was held on 10th July with the participation of 5000 officials at Temple Trees premises with the theme "A New Power for Community Empowerment".

This program was held in conjunction with the Community Empowerment Month which will be held from July 15 to August 15, and as the inaugural program, five thousand officials including Samurdhi development officers and managers representing the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Galle participated in this program.

Giving new energy and a positive background to the officers for the Samurdhi program, the current progress and stability of the community-based banks, which are the main focus of the program, were analyzed here, and several sessions were held to raise awareness about the future goals of the Samurdhi program for the credibility of the officers.

The role of Samurdhi officers as the main pilots to win the struggle for the upliftment of low-income earners by carrying out the process of family empowerment in a proper manner according to the sustainable strategy of providing a development plan to every family was discussed here.

Honorable Minister of Rural Development Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannila, Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa, Ministry Secretary Mr. Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Secretaries Mrs. Nalika Piyasena, Mrs. Radha Nanayakkara. Director General of Samurdhi Development Department Mr. Dhammika Muthugala, Additional Director General Miss. PKS Subodini, Board of Directors of Samurdhi Department, World Bank program officers and a large number of special guests attended the event.