The national ceremony for the granting of pensions to farmers in the Northern Province was held in Kilinochchi yesterday. The ceremony organized at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat was held under the patronage of Minister S.M. Chandrasena.
Pensions were awarded to 400 farmers in the Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts under the first stage.
Expressing his views on the occasion Minister Chandrasena said that it is planned to complete the Project of diverting water from the South to the Iranamadu Reservoir within three years.
The Minister said that whoever was ruling the country and whatever Government was in power the Treasury had to provide 1000 million rupees every year, 350 million rupees had to be provided from the Govi Setha Lottery and the balance from the Insurance Trust Fund. 950 thousand farmers have joined this Farmers Insurance Pension Scheme. Pensions will be provided within this month to 128 thousand farmers who are over 60 years of age. The Minister said that they should express their gratitude to the President for increasing this payment from 1000 to 5000 rupees. He said the President main intention was to divert rain water from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale to the North. The Iranamadu Reservoir will receive water within three years.
Farmers who received pensions expressed their gratitude to the Government.
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