Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) The entity is correctly “Limited Gampaha District Federation of Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies.” Affected depositors: - Member depositors: 376 - External depositors: 3,937 (iii) Rs. 3,035,056,181.00 (approximately Rs. 3,035 million). (iv) Actions taken: - A special audit covering 2010.01.01 to 2019.12.31 was conducted; the Western Province Department of Co-operative Development has referred the special audit report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). - Statutory audits up to 2022.12.31 have been completed; the Western Province Department is conducting the statutory audit up to 2023.12.31. - Complaints regarding financial misappropriation were lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on 2019.06.20. - Under powers vested in the Western Province Co-operative Development Commissioner by the Western Province Co-operative Statute, an inquiry under Section 47(2) was held; based on its recommendations, charge sheets were issued to 16 committee members, and by Order dated 2025.02.05, 14 committee members were disqualified from serving on co-operative boards for seven years. - The CID has been informed to take further action regarding offences under the Public Property Act, No. 12 of 1982. - The Western Province Ministry Secretary and the Chief Secretary have sought the Attorney General’s advice on steps to address the financial crisis; actions will follow that advice, with directions to the Limited Gampaha District Federation of Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies accordingly.

¶ 03 (v) Progress is as stated above; audits, investigations, prosecutions, disqualifications, and legal action are underway or in process.