Government focuses on co-operative sector development

Jayaweera Sugathapala, Attanagalla Special corr.

Trade, Marketing Development, Consumer Affairs and Co-operatives Minister Bandula Gunawardene said the budget 2008 focuses on the development of co-operative sector in the country.

The Minister was speaking at the opening of a three storeyed building of Attanagalla MPCS at Nittambuwa recently.

The Minister said the victory of the budget 2008 given an impetus to the Government to continue its development activities.

The Minister said, Government's main aim is to end the North and East conflict and restore peace. "We have already liberated the Eastern Province from the LTTE grip. This is not a war but a humanitarian operation to free innocent civilians from the LTTE clutches.

The Government is bound to ensure the security of all. All the communities should live in harmony, he said.

The economic growth rate is seven per cent. During 2001-2003 not a single person was recruited to the Government Service. The then Government allocated only Rs. 91.7 billion for Government employees salaries. Now, we spend Rs. 214 billion which is a 135 per cent increase. We have recruited 250,000 to the Government Service, the Minister said.

He said for the first time in the history the budget paid special attention to the promotion of Co-operative movement through tax exemption. The ordinary people will benefit by this. This is a practical step by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a one time Chairman of the Beliatta Multipurpose Co-Operative Society to bring down the cost of living."

Attanagalla Multipurpose Co-operative Society Chairman E.D. Dharamasena delivered the welcome speech while the General Manager H.H. Siriwardena proposed the vote of thanks. Deputy Commissioner of Cooperatives D.N. Nanayakkara also spoke.

Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna Provincial Cooperative Minister Duleep Wijesekere were also present.