Internal trade can prosper through proper cooperative system - PM

Suraj A Bandara

Internal trade can be developed through a properly maintained cooperative system, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne

He was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 'Isuru Saviya' national programme organized by the Internal Trade and Cooperatives Ministry to mark the centenary of the cooperative service at Maligapitiya, Kurunegala yesterday.

The Premier further explained that the service rendered by the cooperative societies was immense and a large number of people have flocked together under the cooperatives umbrella to get relief from the movement. He said that he too partnered the cooperative societies by being a member at the age of 11.

The system of treating everyone on an equal basis has laid the foundation for a righteous society. Morale boosting coupled with righteousness and virtue will be the ultimate outputs of the cooperative societies, he added.

'The cooperative societies came forward when the country was facing a huge rice shortage. No country has eradicated terrorism completely but Sri Lanka has crushed terrorism.

'Therefore, certain organizations have started to obstruct the country's growth and tries to stop us. But being true patriots, we will safeguard the country at any cost, the Premier further said.

Internal Trade and Cooperatives Minister Johnston Fernando said the ministry has planned to set up cooperative societies covering all the schools in the country. This will enable to convince students of the principles of cooperative societies.

He also pointed out that the cooperative system was a mammoth programme initiated to help people in numerous ways. It is the duty of the public to protect the cooperative movement, he said.

'When some hostile agendas are being implemented to negate the cooperative movement President Mahinda Rajapaksa has provided fullest cooperation to enhance the quality and service of the cooperative societies without leaving it to collapse, he added.