The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, during this debate on DECs, I must particularly refer to the Dambulla DEC, which is unique among DECs.

¶ 02 While a management committee exists in theory, in practice how has it functioned? Often, the area’s political authority influenced appointments, such as appointing the traders’ association president to head management. This brought the administration under political control.

¶ 03 These centres were established for the benefit of farmers. Yet today, when farmers bring produce, they are charged Rs. 50 at the gate for a ticket—imposed by the management. Monthly collections exceed Rs. 2 million, but only about Rs. 200,000 reaches the management officially—an irregular situation.

¶ 04 Even toilet use costs farmers Rs. 100—unacceptable for centres meant to serve them. There has also been irregular allocation of stalls using political influence, including to non‑stakeholders, even entertainers from political stages. Therefore, there is a need to regularize management.

¶ 05 Accordingly, our subject Minister has proposed a structured mechanism to ensure farmers gain intended benefits. When irregular benefits are curbed, those who profited are now agitating and handing over documents surreptitiously to Members to derail reforms. They come at night to avoid farmers and traders seeing them. We must proceed to regularize DECs. I conclude.