(UTV|COLOMBO) – For the first time, the International Cooperative Day celebrations in Sri Lanka are to be held in the East Province. The 96th international day of celebrations will be followed by a seven-day long, island-wide special cooperative activities.
“Many new developments are taking place in Sri Lankan cooperatives-it is time we meet regional cooperative members in their own locations” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen under whom national cooperative policy making is vested with. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the special meeting held for the arrangements on International Co-operative Day 2018 which falls on July 7. Joining the occasion were Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka, Commissioner of Co-operative Development S. L. Naseer, and Eastern Province Governor Rohitha Bogollagama.
“Last year’s 95th international cooperatives day was successfully held in Kurunegala with President Maithripala Sirisena’s participation. The theme for this year is “Sustainable Consumption and Production” which aims at creating an opportunity for cooperatives to show how they run successful businesses while respecting natural environment and the resources it offers” said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: “We look forward to a strong participation-5000 from Eastern province alone. I thank Eastern Province Governor Rohitha Bogollagama for facilitating us to this province in our first provincial effort. What is important at this year’s event is that it will not be a single day eent-there will be island-wide activities for seven days after the main event.”
Accordingly, Sri Lankan celebrations in parallel to 96th International Co-operative Day 2018 will be held at Weber Stadium, Batticaloa on 7 July.
“Cooperatives led global entrepreneur development and SME growth. My family members have had a close connection with the cooperative movement. I commend Minister Bathiudeen for taking international day to East for the first time. Let us join to modernise Lankan cooperative sector.”
At present, there are almost, 14,500 cooperatives, in various productions, services, SMEs, women’s development, rural banking, insurance and farming sectors, active in Sri Lanka. These coops employ 46000. Sri Lankan cooperatives’ asset base stands at a huge $1.8 Billion while another $ one billion are in the sector’s savings system.
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