More relief to consumers

Irangika Range

The Government has further slashed the prices of essential food items with immediate effect from midnight yesterday under the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to afford relief to the people.

Addressing a media-briefing in Colombo yesterday, Trade Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that the Government on a special request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made elaborate arrangements to provide maximum relief to consumers targeting the upcoming festive season.

“We have unanimously decided to reduce the prices of essential commodities targeting to provide relief to consumers preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year,” he said.

“The adequate stocks of imported essential food items will be provided to the market with the implementation of this program during this period,”he said..

Accordingly, the price agreement which will be valid for the next six months was signed by the Trade Ministry with the Essential Commodity Importers and Traders Association in Pettah yesterday at the Ministry premises.

Following the Gazette notification published by the Government midnight yesterday, importers and traders have agreed to sell essential commodities on new prices soon after they released essential food items from the Harbour without any delay for the use of upcoming festivals. “Adequate stocks of essential food items would be made available in all Lanka Sathosa outlets during the period,” he said.

The Lak Sathosa has made elaborate arrangements to sell stocks of a kilo of dhal, milk powder, canned fish, big onions, sugar and basmathi rice, potatoes and dried chillies at maximum retail price of Rs. 149, Rs. 225, Rs.149, Rs. 74, Rs. 84, Rs. 90, Rs. 74, Rs. 225 to meet the demand of customers both at urban and regional levels.

“Though the price agreement would be valid for next six months, we will review it after three months aiming at the continuation of granting relief to the people based on the world market prices,” he said.

Sathosa has partnered with major retailers and distributors to market various essential commodities at the competitive prices during the festive season. There will be a wide selection for the customers during this period and the Sathosa through its islandwide retail network has increased the products range.

He said there should not be any scarcity or shortage of essential items in the market during this season as the Sathosa maintains extensive stocks in its main stores. Ninety nine Sathosa outlets across the country offer the lowest retail prices for essential food items.

“Sathosa which is the State retail trading arm has set up to provide relief to consumers by selling quality food products at the lowest price,” he said.

All Sathosa outlets are open daily between 9am to 8 pm for the benefit of consumers.