This was revealed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen at the International Coop Day celebration held on 2nd July in Colombo. The event was held under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. Members of Lankan cooperative system, Provincial Cooperative Ministers, and Secretary to Ministry of Industry and Commerce T.M.K.B. Thennakoon were also present.

The Sri Lanka's cooperative system has almost 8 million members and 56% of them are women. It has reported overall value of USD 2.8 billion-that is assets of USD 1.8 billion and another USD 1 billion savings. "In fact coops are almost the third economic force in Sri Lanka” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: “Cooperatives are so strong in our retail market that I am pleased to say that according to the 2015 market survey called “Wallet Monitor” Out of all the top six supermarket brands our coop-city cooperative shop is the third ranking supermarket for purchases among Sri Lankan households."

According to the Minister, his ministry has allocated Rs.287.5 million to start 150 mini hand-loom apparel factories through the cooperative system creating 3150 new jobs. He also drew the attention of the President Sirisena to purchase a vehicle for each cooperative on a duty free basis. President in response to the request assured to present a Cabinet Paper to give duty free Lorries to coops in 2017-2018.”