Samurdhi beneficiaries will not become wealthy through grants. They will be included among other things, in the national production policy plan, so that they can eventually become entrepreneurs, said State Minister Anupa Pium Pasqual in an interview with the Sunday Observer.
Pasqual, a politician and Member of Parliament was born on 1964 June 17, in Matugama. He attended Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya at Panadura, Ananda Sastralaya in Matugama and Royal College in Colombo. He holds a science degree from the University of Colombo. Pasqual worked as a senior environmental officer for the Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka. He is a member of the Yuthukama Jathika Sanvidanaya as well.
He contested the 2020 Parliamentary election for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as the candidate in the Kalutara District and was elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He is the State Minister of Social Empowerment.
Q: Since you come from a political family, do you remember your journey to the position of Minister of State?
A: My uncle Daya T. Pasqual, is a former member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from Matugama. That’s not why I entered politics. At the university, he first worked with Prof. Nalin De Silva’s national thought. That time I was a militant figure at Colombo University. I was the convener and president of the university student council.
There was also a Colombo representative of the Inter-University Council. Our battle was fought inside the university against the battle against terrorism that was going on in the country at the time. The university had no party politics. In 2005, I joined Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fight to end the battle against terrorism. Then, a request was made for us to join the Public People’s Front (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-SLPP). Accordingly, I entered politics and got the fifth position from the Kalutara district.
Q: What was the purpose of accepting a ministerial position when the country faced many problems?
A: We were elected to Parliament by popular vote. MPs are not only present in Parliament to deliver a speech. We should maximise our abilities as well. Regardless of what the ‘Aragalaya fighters’ say, we must serve our country. That is why I accepted the position of state minister.
Q: Are you satisfied with the ministerial position?
A: I am committed to carrying out the responsibilities of the state ministership to the best of my ability. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is giving me tremendous support and working closely with me. So, I am satisfied.
Q: 37 State Ministers were appointed. People are accusing that a lot of money is being spent on their upkeep. Given the country’s problems, is this appropriate?
A: People talk about costs. If there were no ministers, the responsibilities of the ministries would not be carried out properly. Therefore, public representatives should be held accountable. That mechanism will not work without politicians and bureaucrats in the offices of the country. Strengthening that mechanism should be done by a minister. Cutting facilities will not succeed.
State ministers do not receive a ministerial salary at present. But to carry out those activities, other requirements, including staff, should be provided. These are not ministerial privileges, but facilities. We have never enjoyed this privilege. We don’t need privileges. The people should be aware of whether the efficiency of that ministry will increase with the role played by that state minister. Progress should be reviewed.
Q: Are the positions of minister and State Minister necessary to serve the country?
A: This can be done even with less than this. Two hundred and twenty five members have been appointed to Parliament. We were in public service. We should take advantage of those talents. It needs to be supported. The people and the Government should only check the effectiveness of these ministers.
Q: As the Minister of State for Social Empowerment, how is your attention directed towards the serious nutritional status of Sri Lanka?
A: Today, malnutrition has decreased to some extent. In the past, people naturally got used to village food. But due to the increase in food prices, the quantity obtained is showing a decrease. This is why we are launching programs for low-income people through the Samurdhi movement. For this, money has been allocated from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Through this, low-income earners and pregnant mothers are informed as well as relief is given. It is necessary to first build a strong people and then empower low-income earners to build a prosperous country.
Q: Is the Government focused on increasing the Samurdhi grant?
A: Prosperity is not about giving aid. The self-employment system should be strengthened. A special program is implemented for those who have faced malnutrition issues. Countries become poor or rich depending on how they face the crisis. It should be a path to victory. Loss-making institutions should be brought to higher efficiency. The Samurdhi Movement should also be adapted to it. After going to the ministry, I discussed with the officials and made a plan.
Q: Can we recover from this situation into which the country has fallen?
A: Problems are temporary. Time is important. It is important to solve problems soon. We have to change our plan. We should come to the concept of a profitable country. Consumption should be reduced, and investment should be increased. In the tourism industry, foreign workers should be increased. At present, there is a satisfactory progress in all ministries. We are addressing basic questions. Although oil and gas issues have subsided, the crisis is not over yet. We are at our worst level.
Q: Have any goals been given to the new State Ministers?
A: A target will be given. Each minister should achieve a goal. It should be followed up monthly.
Q: What is your plan as a State Minister to take your ministry of Social Empowerment forward?
A: The Samurdhi Movement was founded in 1995, with 12 million members. It has now increased to 18 million. The number of needy people has decreased. We have yet to reduce the number of Samurdhi beneficiaries.
We want Samurdhi beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs.
Samurdhi beneficiaries will not become wealthy through grants. We intend to include them, among other things, in the national production policy plan, so that they can eventually become entrepreneurs. The main criticism levelled at Samurdhi beneficiaries are that they are politicised and that politicians spend money only on their close friends. It’s incorrect.
New Samurdhi beneficiaries must fill out a form and submit it to the Pradeshiya Sabha, where it will be fed into the computer system. Officers will conduct an inquiry before providing Samurdhi benefits. We can log in to the computer system and double-check these people’s information online.
There will be a cutoff point, which will differ from district to district. The needy will be granted Samurdhi benefit based on the cut-off mark.
From now on, we will summon all 225 Members of Parliament and inform them that this will be the criteria used to select new Samurdhi beneficiaries. The selection process is devoid of politics.
On the advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, we intend to launch a new project on October 17 to create 100,000 new jobs for Sri Lankans in Japan. The President has already discussed with me how to complete this successfully.
We will also begin teaching the Japanese language throughout Sri Lanka, covering all regions. We will strengthen all communities in the island.
We also plan to collaborate with BOI companies to set up Samurdi manufacturing villages. This will be a difficult task, but we will succeed if we work together. We will also work to eliminate malnutrition in Sri Lanka.