The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe
Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Member, our co-operative sector operates on two tracks: first, the national-level co-operatives under the Central Government; second, after the 13th Amendment, the Provincial Co-operatives. As you said, regulations have been made by respective Provincial Councils. Under some interim constitutions of co-operatives in certain provinces, members face serious issues.
¶ 02 We are studying all of this and, through a Cabinet-approved committee, moving to amend co-operative legislation. Both sets of laws need amendment, especially for co-operative banks and co-operative societies. A primary draft of the bills has been prepared and is under review. To protect co-operative enterprises, safeguard members’ rights, and strengthen the sector, we will bring the necessary amendments expeditiously. We aim to pass both bills within this year. Thank you.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Thursday, 5 March 2026 ·No. 23375 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 5 March 2026. No. 23375. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/6939