The first of a series of two-day workshops for training Divi Neguma beneficiaries under the Divi Neguma Department’s Household Economic Program ceremonially commenced on the advice of Economic Development Minister Basil Raapaksa last week under the direction of the Department’s Region 5 at the Divi Neguma Training Centre, Kanagarayankulam in the Vavuniya District, presided over by Vavuniya Government Agent Bandula Harischandra.

The program was launched to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of beneficiaries in making a sucess of livelihood development programs to improve their incomes.  At these workshops they will be provided with knowledge on marketing their products, basic technical knowledge and building positive attitudes and ethnic harmony, according to Divi Neguma Additional Director-General, Engineer S.K. Liyanage.

The program - activated with the assistance of 557 Agrarian Services Departments and State Institutions islandwide will provide assistance to selected projects launched by individuals and  groups according to the efficiency and skills of families.   The Agricultural Faculty of the Rajarata University and other institutions with specialised knowledge will provide technical assistance to the  Divi Neguma Region 5 workshops for training selected beneficiaries.

Divi Neguma Director-General R.A.K. Ranawaka, Additional Directors General S.K. Liyanage and Anuruddha Kumarasiri, Dr.A.M.J. Adhikari of Rajarata University’s Agricultural Faculty and Divi Neguma Director Lakshman Bandara were among those present the ceremonial opening of the first workshop in Vavuniya.

Divi Neguma First Phase which began on March 12, 2011 has benefitted 5 million families in the areas of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and cottage industries.  The Divi Neguma National Program covers 35,440 villages in 14,022 Grama Seva areas.