The poverty of Sri Lanka which was 26.1% in 1990 could be reduced to 6.7% in 2011 with various social security programmes implemented in the past. 2017 has been declared as the year of elimination of poverty in Sri Lanka and further steps should be taken to achieve this goal.

Under the 'Shrama Shakthi' programmes 700 Grama Niladhari Divisions are selected which records a poverty of 10% to 45% in 2017 and a Peoples' Company Council will be established with a General Council and a Board of Directors with the participation of 80% of families in above divisions. Representatives of these companies will be trained and deployed in poverty alleviation and development funds will be issued to these companies. Rs. One million will be issued to each village at the end of 2017.

In addition to these 700 villages, another 300 villages with a capacity for development of production will be selected and they will be provided with necessary technology and financial facilities to create new employment opportunities. Accordingly, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, to implement the above programme with public, private and people's participation, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.