The Hon. Kins Nelson

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I move the following:

¶ 02 “Whereas the co-operative movement—an enterprise closest to rural people—is presently facing many challenges, this Parliament urges the Government to formulate an appropriate procurement mechanism for purchasing goods for co-operative societies.”

¶ 03 I am pleased with the work of Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, the subject Minister; we worked together in the North Central Provincial Council, and he is capable. Co-operatives have a long history, beginning in 1957, serving through various multi-purpose co-operative societies and co-op shops, providing goods, credit, and filling stations for rural people. In 1978, when a cyclone devastated the North Central Province, co-op stores were full—rice, dhal, sugar—everything people needed.

¶ 04 But today, every government seems to have used the co-operative vote bank for politics. We must all take responsibility. Where are co-ops now? Where is Sathosa? There is no proper procurement system when co-ops purchase goods. Officers travel to Colombo and buy whatever they fancy, without evaluation or standards. In the past, co-ops bought the products of self-employed rural women; today much of that has ceased. Reports indicate that about 25 per cent of sales in various co-ops island-wide are of substandard, non-compliant goods. I ask the Minister to deploy a team to investigate and to re-energize the co-operative sector.

¶ 05 We must introduce modern technology. Many towns have Co-op City or Mini Co-op City outlets and co-op societies, but digital facilities are lacking. People use cards rather than cash; co-ops should accept ATM/debit cards too.

¶ 06 In Polonnaruwa District, which I represent, there are nine multipurpose co-operative societies and 171 Co-op City/Mini Co-op City outlets, but only about 51 are active. Across the country, there are 303 multipurpose co-ops with 2,626 buildings/warehouses; in Polonnaruwa alone, 74 paddy stores with capacity of about 295 metric tons. These can be used. Previously, at harvest, co-ops would buy paddy at the field, mill locally, and supply rice to small and medium rice mills, thereby strengthening them. Today, neither the consumer nor the farmer receives fairness. If we empower small and medium mills via co-ops, and allocate funds through Divisional and District Secretaries to purchase paddy and store it in existing warehouses, we can mill and sell through co-ops. At present, only three major mills effectively control prices—this must change. Strengthen the small and medium mills alongside the majors, using co-ops as the vehicle.

¶ 07 Also, in multipurpose co-ops, departmental cadres such as general managers are posted; in Polonnaruwa there are seven such posts. These officers often sit in one station until retirement. Introduce rotation among divisions—e.g., Dimbulagala to Welikanda, Welikanda to Thamankaduwa/Hingurakgoda—to improve performance.

¶ 08 Many valuable co-op buildings and stores are dilapidated—e.g., in Anuradhapura and elsewhere. The new Government should revive and strengthen co-ops. As an Opposition Member, I will extend both hands in support when you act in good faith. The role of the Opposition is to point out issues, not merely criticize. Co-ops can also help address current issues in coconuts and other goods if made strong again. Thank you.