The Hon. Ajith Gihan

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, at today’s Committee Stage we discuss the expenditure head of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. We must consider the responsibility borne by this Ministry. As set out in the National People’s Power (NPP) policy declaration and clearly communicated to the public, providing food is our responsibility. Today, food security is broken, the continuity of the food supply chain is broken, and price fairness is broken. The Ministry’s duty is to ensure necessary food for the people safely, continuously, and at fair prices. That is also NPP policy, and we have formulated our programs accordingly.

¶ 02 I observed Opposition Members speaking without a foundation, not understanding their responsibilities even though they held these portfolios previously. Currently there are about 15 institutions under this Ministry. Taking Sathosa as an example, it was revealed in this very Parliament that there are ongoing court cases regarding 66 transactions, with significant fraud and corruption. Sathosa had reached the brink of closure with losses of Rs. 2 billion. Under our Government, through this Ministry, we are preparing a proper plan to develop and take Sathosa forward again. Those who abandoned that responsibility before did not think of providing food, ensuring food security, or fair prices. Now they say these things should be done; we are ready and have set up work accordingly.

¶ 03 Regarding cooperatives, there has been severe breakdown, and institutions became rife with fraud and corruption—even by those who were responsible then and now speak about it. Where are cooperatives today? We prioritize Agriculture, Fisheries, Industries, and Plantation Ministries for production, but through what mechanism are these products delivered to people? That is through cooperatives. Today the cooperatives have been destroyed. In Puttalam District, for instance, nothing remains to take over. Individuals like former MP Sanath Nishantha turned cooperatives into personal properties—such as the Arachchikattuwa cooperative—blocking governance transitions after declared election results, leveling false accusations, and paralyzing operations, while political henchmen still exploit them. Therefore, we are implementing “G 88000” to deliver relief to the public through these. Similar issues exist in Wennappuwa, where encroachment on Muthurajawela lands belonging to the Department of Wildlife has led to litigation. Corrupt practices continue.

¶ 04 Thus, to revive the cooperative sector so that food produced reaches people properly, we must restore it. We also bear responsibility to ensure fair pricing and to control price volatility. To regulate price fluctuations effectively, we must establish new institutions where needed. In fisheries and related sectors, cooperatives are important to organize the value chain so we can meet protein needs.

¶ 05 A special task for our Ministry is to strengthen cooperatives and Sathosa to serve the people. The Opposition had no readiness to do this earlier; they abandoned their duty. Now they ask us to do it—fine, we will. Rebuilding broken ministries and institutions is not easy. If they were left stable, we could carry forward from there. But we were handed debris after fraud and corruption. We are ready to regularize, develop, and serve the people. They cannot accuse us; they must answer for their own conduct. Our political culture has lacked accountability, with fraudsters escaping by pointing fingers. We will regularize every institution, conduct investigations, and punish those who destroyed them.

¶ 06 Our Ministry carries a key responsibility within the NPP’s national rebuilding and relief program: ensuring food to the people safely and at fair prices. We have already begun this work. Soon, within our relief program we will secure, develop, regulate, and control pricing, ensuring food security and supply to the people. We will require your support; please extend it—not mere criticism but strength to carry the program forward. Thank you.