Parliamentary Committees approve anti-dumping regulations; cooperative loan gaps under scrutiny

Friday, 1 August 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A joint session of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development and the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) was recently held in Parliament to discuss key trade regulations and challenges within the cooperative sector.

The meeting was Chaired by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, with both Committees giving their approval to regulations issued under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018. The measures, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2429/32 dated 27 March 2025, are aimed at protecting Sri Lankan industries from unfair trade practices and sudden surges in imports.

It was clarified by the officials present that anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures and safeguard actions provide protection to local producers in Sri Lanka against unfair trade practices and sudden imports. These measures offer relief regarding damages and threats caused by unfair trade activities and sudden imports.

During this session, members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development also held an extensive discussion concerning the cooperative sector. Special attention was given to the cooperative loan system. The Committee indicated that there is no existing provision for providing loans to cooperatives.

Minister Samarasinghe recommended a formal inquiry into the issue and announced plans to summon Provincial Commissioners and Governors to Parliament for a special committee session to explore viable solutions.

The joint discussion reflects a broader commitment by Parliament to address structural economic issues and protect both industry and community-driven economic models.

Members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development and the CoPF, as well as public officials, participated in this joint meeting.

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