Business owners at economic centres voiced strong opposition to the government’s plan to transfer management of their centres to a newly established state-owned company during a meeting held yesterday (31 January) at the Dambulla Economic Centre, it was reported.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, deputy ministers, district MPs, state officials, and representatives of the Dambulla Economic Centre Traders’ Association.
Traders told the minister that the centres, which have been operated by local businesses for more than 30 years, were being handed over without prior consultation, written agreements, or formal notifications. They expressed unequivocal opposition to surrendering operational control to the newly appointed government team.
The traders also criticized proposals by some officials to adjust centre boundaries in a way that could prioritise government management over existing businesses, warning that such moves could threaten their livelihoods. The meeting reportedly included heated discussions between the minister and business representatives.
A government spokesperson said the transfer of management to National Agri Market Services Ltd — a state-established company with seven appointed directors — is intended to formalise operations, improve accountability, and modernise the economic centres. (NewsWire)