Posted by Onlanka Information on August 14, 2026 – 8:41 pm
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has known as for a stronger worth regulation mechanism in Sri Lanka, saying market competitors alone can’t be anticipated to regulate the costs of products and providers in a small market.
The President mentioned Lanka Sathosa and the co-operative motion ought to be additional strengthened and used as key gamers out there to assist worth regulation and shield shoppers.
He made these remarks at the moment (August 14) throughout a gathering on the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo to overview the progress of tasks carried out beneath the 2026 Finances allocations for the Ministry of Commerce, Commerce, Meals Safety and Co-operative Improvement and to debate the Ministry’s proposals for the 2027 Finances.
The assembly reviewed the efficiency of programmes carried out by 16 departments, self-financing establishments and establishments working with Treasury allocations beneath the Ministry, significantly these aimed toward guaranteeing meals safety and defending client rights.
Officers mentioned a programme is underway to supply farmers with mechanical dryers at concessionary charges for drying paddy and different grains. Preparations have been made to import 45 dryers, which will likely be offered to 45 chosen establishments from 65 candidates.
The assembly additionally reviewed a challenge to ascertain 9 wholesale distribution centres masking all 9 provinces. Building of the centres in Kurunegala and Matara has already been accomplished.
President Dissanayake reviewed the progress of a Rs. 1 billion challenge beneath the 2026 Finances to ascertain rural-level rice processing centres.
The development of a potato buying centre in Nuwara Eliya and a grain legume processing centre in Monaragala was additionally reviewed. The President pressured the necessity to introduce new programmes to assist huge onion and maize farmers.
The roles of departments and establishments beneath the Ministry had been reviewed individually, with consideration given to challenges confronted by every establishment and measures required to deal with them.
Officers mentioned 34 new Manufacturing Co-operative Societies have already been registered beneath a challenge carried out by the Division of Co-operative Improvement concentrating on younger folks. The programme goals to encourage higher participation by the youthful era within the co-operative sector.
Programmes carried out by the Division of the Meals Commissioner had been additionally mentioned, together with progress in establishing new warehouse complexes and putting in solar energy programs.
The assembly centered on strengthening the Co-operative Wholesale Institution, Lanka Sathosa and the broader co-operative motion to extend competitors out there and supply a higher-quality service to shoppers.
There are at present about 2,100 co-operative retailers throughout Sri Lanka, together with Co-op Mega Metropolis and Co-op Metropolis retailers.
Discussions had been held on rising their market share and addressing challenges affecting the sector. Officers additionally mentioned laws is being drafted to deal with administration weaknesses recognized inside the co-operative sector.
The President additionally reviewed the operations of Sri Lanka Thriposha Restricted, which has not too long ago obtained appreciable public consideration.
Officers mentioned Rs. 5 billion has been allotted to the corporate beneath the 2026 Finances and its operations are being maintained across the clock.
Preparations are additionally being made to distribute Thriposha to all Medical Officer of Well being (MOH) places of work and transport the merchandise to the related areas.
It was additionally famous that Lanka Thriposha Restricted has obtained internationally recognised ISO certification regarding meals security and high quality.
The assembly mentioned points involving the sourcing of uncooked supplies, storage and procurement processes, in addition to issues regarding staff.
Additional discussions had been held on bettering the standard of Thriposha merchandise to make sure they meet the required requirements for consumption by kids aged between six months and three years.
The actions of the Division of the Registrar of Corporations had been additionally reviewed.
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Financial Improvement Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma instructed officers to submit proposals to resolve points affecting the Division and introduce the required authorized reforms.
President Dissanayake instructed officers to expedite the processing of about 3,000 pending firm registration functions to scale back delays within the registration course of.
The 2026 efficiency and progress of the Division of Commerce had been additionally reviewed. Officers mentioned representatives from 33 nations are concerned within the Division’s actions via their respective embassies and excessive commissions.
The President mentioned getting access to worldwide markets have to be a key precedence as Sri Lanka works in the direction of its future financial targets.
He mentioned Industrial Officers ought to concentrate on figuring out new worldwide markets and rising export targets.
The President additionally pressured the significance of conducting market analysis and dealing carefully with establishments equivalent to Chambers of Commerce to acquire and share related market info.
He mentioned the Division of Commerce has an necessary function in strengthening the economic system by increasing Sri Lanka’s presence in rising and rising markets and known as for proactive motion in the direction of this goal.
Particular consideration was additionally given to the actions of the Shopper Affairs Authority.
The President was knowledgeable that particular inspections had been carried out at eating places serving passengers on long-distance buses and at eating places working inside non-public hospitals.
Noting frequent public issues over meals and beverage requirements and worth regulation, the President instructed the Shopper Affairs Authority to take proactive measures in these areas.
Officers additionally mentioned using polythene had been diminished from 26 million models to 16 million models via the intervention of the Shopper Affairs Authority.
Plans are underway to additional develop the programme by selling alternate options to polythene.
The assembly additionally mentioned measures to additional streamline Sri Lanka’s laboratory accreditation course of and develop a complete programme for this objective.
Discussions had been additionally held on the development of Financial Centres in Bandarawela and Matale deliberate beneath the 2027 Finances allocations and on actions regarding the Co-operative Village in Tharapuram, Mannar.
Minister of Commerce, Commerce, Meals Safety and Co-operative Improvement Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Commerce and Meals Safety R.M. Jayawardena, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Improvement Upali Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief of Employees to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Further Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Financial Improvement Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce, Commerce, Meals Safety and Co-operative Improvement Ok.A. Vimalenthirarajah attended the assembly.
Officers of the Ministry of Finance and heads and senior officers of establishments beneath the Ministry of Commerce, Commerce, Meals Safety and Co-operative Improvement additionally participated.
