schemes in cities that will raise the livinq standards of ordinarv people. In parallel with our earlier pioneerinq improvements in health and education, this is Sri Lanka •s contribution to the international effort to provide shelter for all by the year 2000. We expect also to ensure a supply of safe drinkinq water to all by the turn of the centurv. The second initiative is the Janasaviva -meaninq strenqtheninq the people - proqramme, which aims at integrating the poor into the mainstream of Productive activities and in the process helpinq them and the economy. JVM/12 A/S-18/PV.lO 42 (Mr. Perera, Sri Lanka) Janasaviya is not another welfare trap that leaves the poor as they were after a few years. It is a major programme of socio-economic restructuring. It will transform the population that hitherto subsisted on food stamps into a group of persons who, with their labour, ingenuity and enterprise will become self-reliant and contribute substantially to economic growth. To be sure, a part of the programme is to raise levels of nutrition for hungry and sick people and cannot be expected to be productive. The greater part of the expenditure will be to invest in small-scale enterprises owned and operated by these people. For this purpose their skills will be improved through education and training. The entire Government machinery is involved in the implementation of this programme, which because of its scale and intensity is being impLemented in stages. When completed the programme is expected to liberate from poverty a total of 7 million people, almost half our population. It is an objective as noble as it is difficult of ~chievement, and the co-operation of the international community is a vital ingredient for its success. Sri Lanka is reasonably optimistic that the new openness and fresh commitment 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the government's initiatives to improve the living standards of ordinary people, provide shelter and safe drinking water, and reduce poverty. It highlights the importance of education, training, and entrepreneurship in achieving these goals. The text also emphasizes the involvement of the entire government machinery and the need for international cooperation.

**Category**
Economic development, Employment