Corruption at Sathosa

I’m amazed and dumbfounded by your editorial on September 22. Our former Ministers, Trade Ministers, the late President J. R. Jayewardene, Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, and Chairmen such as Candi Wijesekara, and lastly Minster Kingsley Wickramaratna, must be turning in their graves.

Razik Zarook would, I am sure, be shedding tears on hearing this scam.

I have never experienced a situation similar to this in my 30 years of service at Sathosa. There was some corruption at that time, but never in the history of the institution, one similar to this. Yes, we imported not only garlic, but wheat from the US and Australia by hundreds and thousands, and onions, dried chillies, potatoes, coriander, jams from Bulgaria, and red dhal, sugar from India and Australia, dried fish from Aden, sprats from Thailand or Chennai and coconut oil from Kerala or Malaysia; but then Sathosa never sold these numerous dry rations to traders straight from the Port. The Bulgarian Jams faced a controversy. Social media went to town informing the masses that if these jams are consumed one is likely to get cancer. Zarook went in front of TV cameras and explained that the Jams arrived long before the Atomic disaster happened and quashed the canard.

The goods were taken to wholesale warehouses, all over the country, and priority was given to Sathosa retail outlets, and then to Cooperatives, and only then were wholesale traders given the balance. This method ensured equitable distribution and allowed only a minimum of corruption.

To ensure the quality of goods, officers from relevant procurement divisions and a quality control officer from the laboratory were sent to the loading point.

Besides, packing units were set up in the warehouse to ensure quality. Two rice mills were also set up in Hingurakgoda for parboiled rice and raw rice, from the Thanamalwila mill. All paddy brought by farmers was tested by quality control officers for humidity, and if not found suitable, was given another chance to dry it. Some farmers brought paddy with dirt to increase weight, but we provided sieves to clean the paddy then and there.

Sathosa provided many welfare facilities for its workers, especially during Chairman Zarook’s tenure. There was a Medical Unit with two doctors and a dentist. Transport was provided to all executives and others by bus, bungalow in Nuwara-Eliya, with a cook and assistant, and free insurance for medical needs. I got my bypass heart surgery free of charge. I can go on about many more ways how Sathosa was managed, but it’s of no use. Sathosa had its song and a motto, Kiri peni.

The caravan will move on.

UPALI COORAY

Former General Manager – Sathosa

egalawan288@gmail.com