Jaffna co-operative leaders tell MPs to seek Govt. compensation for three decades of losses

Leaders of co- operative federations in Jaffna urged th e i r Members of Parliament yesterday to demand compensat i o n for destruction and looting of their assets during three decades of war.

“In recognition of these losses, compensation should be provided by the Government, which can be utilised to increase production and create much needed employment across the district,” a statement from the Jaffna District Co- operative Council said.

“The poorer sections of our society have been trapped by high interest rate loans of microfi- nance institutions,” the statement said. It said that co- operative rural banks and thrift and credit co-operative societies were a credible alternative and should be strengthened to provide rural credit. This has already been proposed to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The Gover nment should make the necessary finance available to increase the capacity and reach of rural co- operative banking services through the provision of low interest loans that are accessible to rural communities, especially those that are geographically remote; and through the promotion and enablement of savings of rural people, and for such savings to be reinvested in the rural economy.

The Council also called for co-operatives to be supported to expand production and increase employment through capital investment by the Gove r nment. Tax exemption status for co-operatives should be r e - e s t abl i s h e d to encourage production and supply of essential items to rural households.

There was also confusion regarding a possible ban on the tapping of palmyrah and coconut trees. Official confirmation that tapping will not be prohibited is sought f rom t he Government.

In view of the ban on selected pesticides farmers are forced to use manual methods or mechanised devices to clear their lands. Here a farmer in Saliyawewa uses a grass cutter to remove shrubs in paddy land. Pic by Karuwalagaswewa jayaratna.