2026-02-19 / Oral Question: Economic Centres and National Agri Market Services Limited (Q. 5/2026) 2026-02-19
Hon. Dasanayake raises concerns about the Minister's decision to establish a new company, National Agri Market Services Limited, under the Companies Act to manage economic centres previously administered by government custodians under the Ministry of Trade and related agencies. He questions the qualifications and affiliations of the seven appointed directors, including Chairman K.R. Senanayake, and notes that four remaining directors are serving public officers. The speaker highlights significant grassroots opposition to this change across multiple economic centres including Thambuttegama, Keppetipola, Nuwara Eliya, and Dambulla, citing instances where appointment letters were refused and a writ petition has been filed. He asks the Minister whether the government intends to proceed with the company and its Board despite this opposition.
Hon. Minister, you know the reason I raised Question 1264/2025—particularly part (a)(iii). Since inception, the economic centres were run under administrative custodians—under the Ministry of Trade, the District Secretary, the Divisional Secretary, etc. But recently you moved to register a company under the Companies Act called National Agri Market Services Limited, and obtained Cabinet approval for it. You have registered this company and appointed seven directors, including as Chairman one K.R. Senanayake and two Directors of Operations. We do not know whether these are your associates or party appointees or who they are, nor their competencies or past service. Four others are said to be officers holding posts in the public service.
There is opposition to this. In your own Thambuttegama, and also Keppetipola, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, people are campaigning against it. You went to Dambulla recently. You had sent letters of appointment to persons at the markets; they refused to accept them and have filed a writ. Minister, anything like this must be done with consent, not by compulsion. There is significant opposition among those at the economic centres.
My first supplementary question is: You have set up this company and appointed a Board. Despite the opposition by traders and market users, will you continue with this?