CP Governor promises to cleanse co-operative sector

BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY – Governor Central Province Lalith U. Gamage has warned all those in the cooperative sector of the province that stern action would be taken against those15 involved in corruption regardless of the status they enjoyed.

Governor Gamage issued the warning at the appointment of members of the Board of Directors of the Central Province Cooperative Employees’ Pension Control Board.

 There were reports of corruption and malpractices in the co-operative sector in the province. Those responsible for corruption and other such illegal activities would be liable for severe punishment, Gamage said.

The Governor said that several measures had been adopted to revive the cooperative movement on the directions of Basil Rajapaksa. As a step towards popularising the cooperative sector in the Central Province arrangements had been made to open Cooperative City Shops. The first of the 21 shops was recently opened at Wilgamuwa in the Matale District.

W. M. N. Banadra was appointed the Chairman of the Cooperative Employees’ Pension Control Board. J. M. Ranasinghe and H. B. M. Dharmasiri are the other members of the board.

Chief Secretary Central Province Gamini Rajaratne, Secretary to the Governor Anton Tilakaratne, Secretary, Central Province Ministry of Industries, Madupani Piyasena and  Provincial Commissioner of Cooperatives Chula Abeyratne were also present.