SEC to be made profitable venture once again

Mohammed NAALIR

COLOMBO: Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff said she could convert the State Engineering Cooperation (SEC) which was running at a loss into a profitable venture within three years.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony accorded to her at the State Engineering Cooperation by employees on the occasion of her completing three years in her present portfolio Minister Ashraff said at the time she was appointed Housing and Construction Minister in 2004 several institutions under the Ministry were running at a loss.

She said she obtained the advice of experts to convert them into profitable institutions. Similarly, the State Engineering Cooperation too is running at a loss.

On the advise of Dr. Kulasinha who was the founder of the State Engineering Cooperation, she made several additions to the SEC. "We also built tsunami housing schemes, hospitals, universities, buildings and bridges.

She pointed out that experts in the relevant fields were appointed as the heads to these institutions. President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave his fullest support to make these institutions profitable institutions.

She appealed to trade union leaders to be patient. She got Rs. 120 million through the Treasury in 2006 and 2007 to revive these institutions which were running at a loss.

Construction Service Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and the Chairman of State Engineering Cooperation Raja Edirisooriya were also present.