Sri Lanka, March 13 -- According to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, one-fourth of Sri Lanka's population is currently living in poverty.

Minister Upali Pannilage stated that nearly 80% of those affected by poverty reside in rural areas, emphasizing that rural poverty should be eradicated first.

The Minister noted that the causes of poverty should be identified within each Grama Niladhari Division and that representatives of the Community Development Councils should jointly prepare development plans accordingly.

He further stated that the ongoing military tensions in the Middle East have had certain impacts on the global economy.

However, he said that measures taken to strengthen the countr...