AMBALANGODA: "Ours is the one and only organisation which gives loans to members even if they are over 70 years. This is the only organisation which has more than a lakh of members islandwide including areas like Kilinochchi and Jaffna. We have given loans the tune of rupees three billion and have more than rupees two million as deposits," said the Chief Secretary of the Government Pensioners Trust Fund, Ariyasena Widhanapathirana. He was addressing the 9th AGM of the Ambalangoda Government Pensioners Trust Fund held at Warusawithana Elders’ Home, Polwatte. It was chaired by its President B. H. Wimaladasa.

Widhanapathirana said that he decided to grace the occasion as because Wimaladasa had done yeoman service as a member of the executive committee. Otherwise he would not attend AGMs islandwide.

Even when Prabhakaran was alive people of Jaffna got membership in the trust fund and paid Rs. 20 monthly. In nine years this trust fund had achieved many thing due to the efficient management.

It had even given loans to the government in the way of treasury bills to the tune off Rs. two and half billion, he revealed.

Three centres for the convenience of the members were under construction at Hambantota, Kataragama and Anuradhapura costing several millions of rupees he revealed.

It had arranged two pilgrimage to Dabadiwa annually at a nominal fees of Rs. 60,000. Although all pilgrimages arranged by private companies to Dambadiwa had the motive of earning money, the Trust Fund had the motive of pleasing its members.

Galle District President of the Trust Fund, S. Pethangoda, Galle District Committee member, Gunapala Manawadu, Ambalangoda Divisional Secretariat Accountant, Ms D. M. R. Prematunghe, Ambalangoda President B. H. Wimaladasa, Secretary, M. W. Ariypola, Deputy Secretary J. Kariyawsam and Treasury, Berty Ranasuriya also spoke.