Samurdhi Authority implements many programmes throughout the country for public poverty reduction. Diversified programmes reach individuals, families and groups, both in village and in urban environments. Loan schemes are implemented for micro enterprises initiated by individuals or groups of poor in the community. Participatory development efforts are one of the more favoured approaches of Samurdhi Authority.

Samurdhi Authority of Sri Lanka has a staff of over 25,000 persons in about 36 job categories. Out of these personnel Samurdhi Development Officers comprise of about 23,000 persons while Samurdhi Managers are about 2000. Apart from about 500 staff of various job categories who are attached to the Head Office of the Authority in Colombo, all other officers are serving in different parts of the country.

Some of the divisions of Samurdhi Authority illustrate the nature of development activities undertaken by it. For example, Rural Development division, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Marketing Development, Banking Finance, Social Development, Media division, Legal and Investigation etc. illustrate the type of programmes being launched by Samurdhi Authority.

Its programmes operate at all levels of the administrative system like Grama Niladhari level, zonal level, divisional level and national level. There is a wide network of administrative institutions at different levels implementing Samurdhi programmes.