45 Co-op cities, Sathosa outlets to be opened in East

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to set up three Sathosa Essential Commodities Exchanging Centers and 45 branches of Coop cities and Sathosa outlets within 60 days in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

This will help streamline the distribution of essential food items at concessionary rates and without undue delay to the civilians in the liberated areas of North and East.

This decision was taken at the discussion chaired by the Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana and Co-operative Commissioners of North and East held at the Prime Minister's Office on August 16.

The programme will fulfil the basic requirements of civilians in the North and East under the Nagenahira Navodaya programme. This mechanism will facilitate the distribution of essential commodities to the North and East while assisting to purchase products which are cultivated and produced in these areas at competitive rates.

Gunawardana said that the Government's main intention is to promote rice flour based products. "We are in the process of educating the public on the value of using rice flour as a good substitute for wheat flour."

He said the estate community is very keen on consuming rice flour if they receive flour at a low prices.

"We have paid attention to prepare a proper mechanism to increase rice flour production with the assistance of the Cooperatives," he said.

The Prime Minister has advised the Cooperative Commissioners to present a report with information of the manufacturers, mill owners and cooperatives engaged in the production of rice flour based products.