In a significant development, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies has published a Gazette Extraordinary confirming the closure of two state departments. The official announcement, made on Tuesday (June 13), outlines the conclusion of the liquidation process for the Internal Trade Department and the Department of Telecommunications.
The Internal Trade Department, initially established under the Consumer Protection Act (No. 01 of 1979), has now been dissolved following the enactment of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003. With the establishment of the Consumer Affairs Authority, the functions of the Internal Trade Department have been absorbed, leading to its closure.
Similarly, the Department of Telecommunications has undergone a transformation. It has transitioned into a corporation through an incorporation order issued under Section 02 of the State Industrial Corporation Act, No. 49 of 1957. This conversion was previously announced and documented in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 596/11 of 06 February 1990.
The closure of these state departments signifies a shift in administrative structures and streamlining of operations within the government. The decision to dissolve the Internal Trade Department and reconfigure the Department of Telecommunications into a corporation reflects ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and adapt to changing needs in the respective sectors.
