Dedicated economic centres in Colombo, suburbs

Irangika Range

The Government has decided to set up three Dedicated Economic Centres (DECs) in Narahenpita, Kesbawa and Ratmalana to provide marketing facilities for the benefit of producers and consumers.

Addressing the media, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday the setting up of DECs has been highlighted in the Mahinda Chinthana as a priority which would provide reasonable price to producers by providing marketing facilities for rural farm products.

The main objective of setting up DECs away from rural areas is to provide consumers opportunities to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at lower prices, the Minister said. This will provide an opportunity for small-scale producers to reduce transport costs and damages which occur while transportation.

He said this would also create an environment to distribute traditional food crops limited to some locations all over the island. He said the Meegoda DEC was established in 2003 and the area was backward at that time.