Police and the STF deployed at the Ratmalana Economic Centre

By Shezna Shums

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade has deployed 35 police officers and Special Task Force personnel at the Ratmalana Economic Centre to break the mafia operating there.

“We will not leave room for such mafia to operate,” said Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade, Johnston Fernando.

The cleaning, maintenance and development of the Economic Centres island wide will be given out on tender as currently these centres are badly maintained and not up to standard said the Minister.

Minister Johnston Fernando also said that the infrastructure at all economic centres would be developed further to provide better water, electricity and other facilities to the vendors.

“We will make the Narahenpita Economic Centre as a model for other centres” said the Minister, who highlighted that some centres were filthy, with garage strewn about and poorly kept.

The Minister also stated that the garbage cleaners, parking lot personnel and toilet cleaners who had lost their tenders for providing services at the Dambulla Economic Centre had clashed with Ministry officials last Monday.

“Only two traders had participated,” said the Minister.

At a press conference yesterday the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade said that with the introduction of plastic boxes, the amount of garbage had drastically reduced thus affecting the people who collect garbage.

Minister Johnston Fernando said that the Dambulla Economic Centre as well as other economic centres were dirty and not run properly and that he would personally see to it that these centres function properly and are clean and maintain better standards.