The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, what the Hon. Member asks is what measures have been taken. I clearly stated again what measures we have taken. Full responsibilities for rural banks are included in the Provincial List. Therefore, the Central Government cannot directly intervene or issue direct orders regarding rural banks. For that purpose, we are taking steps to amend the Co-operative Societies Law to make the necessary legal provisions. That is correct. Work has commenced to amend the Co-operative Societies Law to remove that impediment. We intend to amend the law before the end of this year and include provisions to enable us to work in coordination with rural banks and Provincial subjects. That is how we expect to proceed. Without this law, we cannot directly intervene. The Central Government cannot undertake this through the National Co-operative Commissioner or Commissioneress. Therefore, we have now commenced amending the law.