A special meeting to discuss the future direction of the co-operative movement in Sri Lanka was recently convened by the Sri Lanka National Cooperative Board under the patronage of President Ranil Wickramasinghe. Held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), the event saw participation from prominent figures, including Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya, the founder of the Sanasa Movement, who represented Sanasa alongside other officials.
Among the other attendees were; the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Safety Nalin Fernando, the State Minister of Mass Media, Shanta Bandara, the Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayake, and several other Ministers. Additionally, the event drew a significant number of participants from the cooperative and related sectors, including A.D. Sarath Weerasiri, who represented the Sri Lanka National Cooperative Board. Speaking at the event, Dr. Kiriwandeniya emphasised the challenges surrounding the identity of the cooperative movement in Sri Lanka, noting the need for a clear solution. He called on the President and other authorities to prioritise the establishment of a cooperative system that remains independent of external influences. In response, President Wickramasinghe expressed his appreciation for Dr. Kiriwandeniya’s efforts in empowering the people and affirmed his intention to engage in further discussions with him (Dr. Kiriwandeniya) to address the challenges faced by the cooperative sector.