The Hon. Upali Samarasingha

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, co‑operatives function both under the central line Ministry and under Provincial Commissioners. Past governments lacked coherent vision and policy, and central–provincial coordination broke down, causing grassroots co‑ops to collapse. Political appointments, prolonged board tenures, use of political influence, lack of audits, and poor procedures caused failures. Our Government is now discussing with the Provincial Co-operative Public Service Commission to review collapsed co‑ops, conduct audits, and quickly revive them this year with necessary state intervention. By year‑end, we will especially intervene to strengthen estate co‑ops and rectify historical shortcomings.