Crackdown on trade mafia at Dambulla DEC

Ten STF, 40 police personnel deployed:

Irangika RANGE

Ten STF and 40 police personnel have been deployed to strengthen security and prevent a repeat of unrest organized by certain parties to boycott decisions and programs implemented at the Dedicated Economic Centre (DEC) in Dambulla.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minster Johnston Fernando said that he has been directed to take suitable action to crack down on a trade mafia operating for several years at the DEC. A mafia is involved in demanding money from traders, consumers and farmers who use sanitary facilities at the DEC premises, the Minister said.

"This is why we took a decision to take over the direct control of the DEC following complaints from farmers, traders and consumers regarding corrupt activities and other rackets at the DEC," Fernando said. The Minister said several organized gangs involved with the mafia were against this decision and protested recently to sabotage the program. Farmers, traders and consumers did not participate in the protest, he said.

This organized gang is trying to sabotage income generating avenues to the Government by creating clashes and problems at the DEC, Fernando said.

He said that DECs were set up to create a conducive environment for farmers and traders and not a place for the mafia to manipulate.

"I instructed officials to hold a full-scale inquiry into alleged corruption and other rackets at the DEC where a mafia backed by certain politicians is reported to manipulating prices at the expense of consumers and farmers," he said.