by Kalinga Weerakkody
Ministry of Employment and Labour (MEL) has taken steps to decentralise the payment of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) benefits to enable beneficiaries to withdraw dues within ten days, Labour Department sources said yesterday.

Under this scheme the administration of the EPF now centralised in Colombo at Narahenpita would be linked with district offices under the Labour Department.

The inauguration of this programme will be launched from the Matara district office on tomorrow (7) by the Labour Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.

Sources said the programme was launched under the 100 day accelerated development programme of the United National Front government.

Labour Ministry sources said that already a programme has been launched to release applications of granting EPF benefits through the district labour officers in relevant districts.

Sources said that this system shortly would be introduced to areas such as Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Kegalle and Kalutara and later to other districts including north and east.