The President was speaking at the 95th International Co-operative Day celebration held on Saturday (1st July) at the Maligapitiya Playground in Kurunegala.
“The strengthening of the co-operative movement is a main factor to alleviate poverty in Sri Lanka. We should develop many fields related to the co-operative movement to increase the foreign exchange earnings and income from exports as well” he pointed out.
He added that everybody in the co-operative field should fulfill their responsibility to make the vision of the co-operative movement for 2020 successful.
Minister of Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen presented the Co-operative Development Vision -2020 to the President on this occasion.
The cheque worth Rs. 100 millions provided to the Co-operative Workers’ Fund of Wayamba Province by the Co-operative Board was officially handed over by the President on this occasion.
The President presented the awards and certificates to the winners of the competitions organized in line with the International Co-operative Day. He also offered the key of a house built for a low income family.
Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, S. B. Nawinna, State Minister T. B. Ekanayake, Champika Premadasa, Governor of North Western Province Amara Piyasili Rathnayake, Chief Minister Dharmasiri Dasanayake, Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Member of Parliament J. C. Alawathuwala, former MP Shantha Bandara, Provincial Minister Gunadasa Dehigama and the Commissioner of Co–operative Development S. L. Naseer participated.
