The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Votes of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development.

¶ 02 Food security, availability and fair access are paramount and must be ensured through this Ministry. During the economic crisis, people struggled to access food; in the North and East during the war and embargoes, shortages were severe. Today, with price increases and other pressures, we must act decisively.

¶ 03 In the Batticaloa District, the cooperative sector must be expanded and strengthened. The area produces agricultural goods, fisheries, and livestock products. We must ensure safe, fairly priced food by empowering cooperatives to become income-generating institutions. Several cooperative wholesale outlets operate in Batticaloa, but many run under strain or loss and struggle to continue. Some sustain themselves only through income from fuel stations. Yet, applications for petrol allocations to cooperative-run stations in Vavunathivu, Vakarai, and Valachchenai have not been approved despite long waits. As the Minister responsible for cooperatives, please secure the necessary approvals.

¶ 04 Cooperatives are largely administered via Provincial Councils. To transform them into profitable ventures requires investment. Provincial limits mean only small loans—up to about Rs. 2 million—are available. We ask that Provincial Council powers be strengthened and adequate budgetary allocations be provided so loan assistance can actually reach cooperative outlets.

¶ 05 Batticaloa lacks adequate facilities for post-harvest handling. During paddy harvests, rain damages crops; there are insufficient drying facilities. Cooperatives could install dryers, but lack funds and mechanisms to obtain them. Warehouses and rice mills could be run by cooperatives, but they need capital. There is no investment program enabling cooperatives to build these assets. I draw your attention to establishing such support.

¶ 06 Beyond that, “Sathosa” and food distribution in our district need strengthening. At times of shortages and price spikes, you state that goods will be distributed through Sathosa, but in a district of about 600,000 people with 14 Divisional Secretariat areas, there are only three Sathosa outlets. Please increase Sathosa outlets districtwide to ensure fair supply.

¶ 07 There is also a shortage of Government officers in cooperative networks. The ACDP positions are often filled only temporarily; permanent appointments via the Public Service Commission are slow. There is a shortage of more than 50 Cooperative Development Officers across the Eastern Province. Addressing these human resource gaps is essential for effective cooperative programs.

¶ 08 We raised various investment needs in this debate yesterday. Batticaloa is a poor district with few investors, and foreign investment that generates jobs is lacking. I trust you will consider cooperative-led investment programs and ensure reliable food supply across Batticaloa through your Ministry, rebuilding public confidence in cooperatives.

¶ 09 Thank you.