The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) No. (ii) All specialized Economic Centres have been amalgamated and a fully state-owned company, with 100% shareholding held by the Secretary to the Treasury, has been established under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007 on 2025.10.09, named National Agri-Marketing Services Limited. (iii) The Board of Directors comprises nine members: - A senior officer of the General Treasury with subject knowledge in commerce and economics; - A senior officer of the Ministry of Trade with subject knowledge in commerce and economics; - A senior officer of the Ministry of Agriculture with subject knowledge in agriculture and agri-economics; - A senior officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs with subject knowledge in regional development and local governance; and - Five members nominated by the Minister in charge of Trade with expertise in agriculture, marketing, business studies, law and finance.

¶ 03 Appointments are made by the Secretary to the Treasury on the recommendation of the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development. The tenure is up to five years from appointment.

¶ 04 Under Article 12 of the Articles of Association, a Governance Committee must be established for each Specialized Economic Centre, comprising: - District Secretary (Chair) - Divisional Secretary (Secretary) - Superintendent of Police (Member) - Municipal Commissioner / Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary (Member) - Commissioner of Agrarian Services (Member) - District Director of Agriculture (Member) - Mahaweli Regional Manager where applicable (Member) - Two representatives from the Economic Centre Traders’ Association (Members) - Two representatives from farmer organizations (Members) - Manager of the Economic Centre (Member) - Two representatives of the Minister (Members)

¶ 05 These committees will handle operations, administration and development of the respective centres. Their decisions will be implemented with Board approval.

¶ 06 (iv) Expected benefits include: - Establishing a stable market system for agricultural produce for the welfare of farmers, traders and consumers; - Securing long-term leased facilities and other requirements (including market premises and infrastructure) for purchasing, storage, sale, distribution and packaging of agricultural produce; - Providing shops and storage facilities on lease or rent to farmers, producers, wholesalers and retailers through written agreements; - Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and instructions on environment protection, water and electricity management, transport planning, labour laws and safety; - Ensuring common utility services are available in each market in compliance with relevant laws and regulations; - Establishing an information system in each market on prices and quantities of agricultural products available from wholesale and retail.

¶ 07 (b) Not applicable.