Ministry to undertake cleaning of DECs

Irangika RANGE

The Co-operatives and Internal Trade Ministry decided to undertake the cleaning of Dedicated Economic Centers (DECs) islandwide through Sathosa cleaning sections to prevent corrupt activities and other rackets that are allegedly taking place in DECs for the past few years.

The Sathosa cleaning section is currently handling the cleaning in Narahenpita DEC while Ratmalana and Dambulla DECs will be provided with the service of the Sathosa cleaning section in the near future.

"We received a number of complaints from farmers, traders and consumers regarding many corrupt activities and other rackets related to the cleaning at several DECs," a spokesman from the Co-operatives and Internal Trade Ministry said.

The mafia is involved in demanding huge sums of money from traders, consumers and farmers who use sanitary facilities located in the premises of DECs. It is being allegedly backed also by some politicians.

This move will crack down on the mafia while saving huge sums of money flowing to the private sector.

He said that certain parties who were engaged in malpractices and corruption through cleaning in DEC premises were against this decision and trying to sabotage this program. It is reported that a Sathosa lorry carrying cleaners which arrived in the Ratmalana DEC had been attacked by a gang recently.

Three cleaners were also assaulted by this gang.

The Police are holding a full-scale inquiry into this attack.

Meanwhile, Minister Johnston Fernando warned that stern action would be taken against those responsible for the attack at the Ratmalana DEC premises.