2026-02-19 / Oral Question: Economic Centres and National Agri Market Services Limited (Q. 5/2026) 2026-02-19
Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended the establishment of National Agri Market Services Limited, asserting it was created with proper Cabinet approval and has no legal irregularities, while accusing certain traders of spreading misinformation to Opposition MPs to undermine the initiative. He outlined the company's governance structure, noting that directors are appointed through the Treasury Secretary in the standard manner for State companies. The Minister highlighted specific malpractices at existing economic centres as justification for the new entity, citing examples such as shop spaces being leased to a commercial bank, individuals holding multiple shops, subletting, and the alleged sale of two State-owned shops in Dambulla for approximately Rs. 50 million and Rs. 75 million respectively. He stated the company's purpose is to bring Sri Lanka's 18 economic centres—currently operating inconsistently—under a unified operational and decision-making framework.
Mr. Speaker, certain traders—not all—are attempting to mislead even Opposition MPs with false information to undermine the true objective of establishing the National Agri Market Services Limited. We have established it—with proper and amended Cabinet approval, which you can verify. There is no legal issue. It is a State company owned by the Secretary to the Treasury. Directors of State companies are appointed in the usual manner—by the Treasury Secretary. Four Ministry Secretaries sit, and three members are appointed by the Minister, with the final approval of the Treasury Secretary.
Problems have arisen not because of who the custodians are—currently the Ministry Secretary—but due to past decisions and practices. Let me cite one example. In the Kurunduwatta Economic Centre, shop rooms numbered 9, 10, 11 and 12 are being used by Hatton National Bank for banking operations inside the Centre. Shop rooms are meant for activities of the economic centre, not to be rented out to banks or anyone else. In some places, one person holds seven shops. I have the list and will place it in the House. Shops are being sublet; some even sold. Two shops in Dambulla were sold two months ago—one for around Rs. 50 million, the other for about Rs. 75 million—these are State properties.
We set up National Agri Market Services Limited to run our 18 economic centres properly. These 18 are spread across the country. Four are in Colombo District—Narahenpita, Ratmalana, Boralesgamuwa, Meegoda—and each currently operates differently. They must operate under one framework. Especially, decision-making must be systematized.