Co-operatives must go global - PM

Rohan MATHES in GALLE

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday urged the Co-operative Movement to re-define its objectives and revolutionise its endeavours, to compete with the contemporary global open economy.

The Premier stated this when he addressed a colourful ceremony at the Samanala playgrounds in Galle to commemorate the 86th International Co-operative Day.

He pointed out that historically, the esteemed Co-operative Movement has had to confront much criticism and daunting challenges amid the fierce competition of free, open-market polices.

It has the chance of rejuvenating itself gradually, with the full blessings and assistance of the Government which is committed to uplift the co-operatives movement.

The Prime Minister pointed out that at all times of peril and disaster, it was the Co-operatives which had come to the rescue of the common and downtrodden masses of the land. Some Co-operatives had accrued heavy debts which the Government eventually had to set off.

“Revolutionary and creative ‘Pension Proposals’ and ‘Salary Enhancements’ for its staff are creative and novel concepts. They should further strive to reach out to international markets as well, in marketing their produce, without limiting themselves to their immediate neighbourhoods and the local communities,” the Premier said.

He opined that the Co-operatives could play a greater role, in managing and controlling the cost of living which has transformed itself into a burning issue nowadays. They could reach out and enhance their production by engaging in new techniques such as ‘Dehydration’ processes.

The Prime Minister refuted all slanderous statements of certain quarters of the media that the Government was making moves to negotiate with the LTTE.

“We will not cease our humanitarian offensive, until the last terrorist is killed,” he reiterated..

He categorically stated that as Sri Lanka is fully opposed to interference in the internal matters of any other country. Sri Lanka too would not tolerate any other alien force interfering with the independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of our Motherland, he said.

Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara also expressed his sentiments at the ceremony.