The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) By now, we have resolved a considerable number of issues relating to pension entitlements and arrears payments, Hon. Speaker. However, a problem remains because some Samurdhi Development Officers recruited when the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority was established in 1995 did not possess the minimum educational qualifications required. In 2016, a Cabinet decision was taken that officers recruited under the Samurdhi Authority who lacked the minimum educational qualifications would not be granted extensions of service beyond the date of optional retirement. This decision was not properly implemented previously. As a result, there are officers now over 55 years of age without the required qualifications who have continued in service. We are taking necessary measures and are in the process of seeking individual Cabinet decisions to resolve their issues.

¶ 03 (ii) As I stated, we have collected specific data to resolve this matter. Where officers lacking minimum qualifications are still serving beyond age 55, a decision has been taken to terminate their service forthwith. We have also instructed all District Samurdhi Directors to ensure that officers lacking the minimum qualifications and approaching age 55 have their service terminated on the due date.

¶ 04 (iii) The question seeks details on the promotions scheme. The Samurdhi Development Department had no promotions scheme for its officers from inception. However, on 01 November 2023, approval was granted for a Management Assistant position. This was not implemented by late 2024 when we assumed office. After we formed the Government, we introduced a promotions scheme for Samurdhi Development Officers. Accordingly, for the Management Assistant post (MN-2), after reviewing the prevailing salary codes, a Cabinet decision was obtained on 22 December 2025 in line with the proposals. This decision has been forwarded to the Public Service Commission for approval.

¶ 05 (iv) Similarly, we have prepared a promotions scheme for the Manager post and referred it to the Public Service Commission, and, with the PSC’s recommendations, it has been sent to the Recruitment Review Committee at the Prime Minister’s Office. Until now, there has been no promotions scheme for Manager-grade officers. Over the past year, we have created the scheme and taken the necessary steps.

¶ 06 (v) There has been significant public discussion. After we formed the Government, we amended the Act last year to bring all department-run Samurdhi banks under Government audit. Now audit functions can properly safeguard funds. We also conducted several training programmes last year to build the capacity of internal investigation officers. The Department’s Internal Audit Unit and Investigation Unit have been strengthened and an integrated mechanism is in operation to minimize malpractices and corruption.

¶ 07 (b) The Samurdhi Bank system has not been computerized for a long period. We have now commenced procurement to acquire a software system. The Department has 1,097 Samurdhi Banks and 335 Samurdhi Societies. A significant number have begun moving away from manual processes. About 450 community-based banks have already stopped maintaining deposit ledgers manually. However, given variations in individual bank practices, last week we submitted a Cabinet Paper to bring all banks onto a single networked digital platform. Work has commenced to computerize all banks into a unified network.

¶ 08 (c) Not applicable.