A dozen state institutions earmarked for closure

• Decades-old Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation among them 
• The committee said the founding objectives of these state-owned enterprises are irrelevant in today’s context
• Galle Heritage Foundation is proposed to run as a self-financed institute without state involvement 
• The report compiled by the committee has reviewed the status of over 160 state institutions and made recommendations

By Kelum Bandara 

A top-level committee appointed by the government has  identified a dozen state institutions either to be liquidated or  done away with, with state involvement in management of them.  

The report compiled by the committee comprising various  Ministry Secretaries has reviewed the status of over 160 state  institutions and made recommendations on their future.   

The committee has recommended liquidation of Sri Lanka  Mahaweli Authority which was established in 1979. The primary objective  of the Mahaweli Authority is to implement the Mahaweli River development  scheme. One of the most significant achievements of the Mahaweli  Authority is the Mahaweli Development Programme, which was initiated in  1961.  

The committee said the founding objectives of this state-owned enterprise are irrelevant in today’s context and therefore it can  now be rendered redundant.   

Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation is another institution  identified to be closed down, with land coming under its purview to be  released to private investors on a long-term lease basis. Its functions  are to be vested with the Department of Agriculture after liquidation.   

Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board and  Post-Harvest Management Institute have also been identified to be closed  down by the new government. Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority, established  47 years ago, National Agricultural Diversification and Settlement  Authority, Human Resource Management Institute, Shrama Vasana Fund,  National Institute of Maritime Affairs, Sri Lanka Institute of Local  Government, Information and Communication Technology Institute, National  Hunger Eradication Campaign Board of Sri Lanka (National Food Promotion  Board) are the state-owned enterprises meant to be closed down.  

Besides, the Galle Heritage Foundation is proposed to run as a self-financed institute without state involvement in its operation.  

The functions of New Villages Development Authority for  Plantation Region is proposed to be assigned to the subject ministry  instead of keeping it as a separate entity.   

The committee was appointed in keeping with a Cabinet paper  submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. It comprised 11  officials and was headed by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep  Saputhanthri. It reviewed the functions of 166 state-owned enterprises.