The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, I second the motion moved by Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake and wish to add a few points. As a Member representing Matale District, which has a DEC, it is my duty to speak.

¶ 02 The concept of Dedicated Economic Centres and Purchasing Centres stems from the policy set out in the 1988 Presidential Election manifesto of Hon. R. Premadasa. By 1994, as Minister of Agricultural Produce and Marketing, my father was responsible for implementing it. As stated, these were created when farmers suffered due to middlemen and lack of storage, with crops wasted. The DECs, purchasing centres, and cold stores were introduced to ensure fair prices to farmers and affordable prices to consumers.

¶ 03 We must consider whether the proposed company will realize these expectations. I note the Cabinet paper refers to establishing a “limited liability company for managing DECs.” Will this deliver fairness to producers and consumers? If not, it is better to keep DECs under a government mechanism and officials. We know government ventures can fail, and entities like CWE had issues, but we must ensure DECs are not ruined. I request renewed consultations—speak to those at the centres and the farmers—and then take decisions. Otherwise, DECs risk decline.

¶ 04 There is real work to be done—cold storage, for example. A project was brought under Hon. Harsha de Silva, but even an electricity connection has not been provided. If provided, produce like onions and vegetables need not be dumped in glut periods; storage can stabilize incomes. With a strong mandate, please steer this in the right direction so both farmers and traders are not deceived. Thank you.