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'The National Consumer Watch of Sri Lanka,' a consumer watchdog group, has issued a memorandum through the press, posing certain questions to "All Political Party Leaders" in the interests of the voter/consumer. The following are the questions, some of which require a simple 'Yes' or 'No' answer.

1. If you form the next Government, how long will it take you to get the new Consumer Protection Act to be passed into law. It is already over 2 years in the making. Will it take another 6 months, 6 years or never?

2. Does the Act now bring into focus a wider range of organisations and institutions, than at present, who will become liable to be sued for compensation?

3. Does the Act embody the requirement for the formation of Consumer Courts like in India? Most of the consumer frustrations and disenchantment has been due to the high cost of litigation and the laws delays. So consumer courts should minimise costs and expedite disposal of consumer complaints.

4. If questions 1, 2 or 3, or all of them, cannot be achieved due to various pressure, the alternative left for the consumer to get himself protected from being exploited, bluffed through bogus ads, and be cheated, is to introduce the concept of Informed Choice into this country, and very successfully operating not only in the West, but in almost all progressive lands in the East. Briefly stated, it is getting various ranges of goods and services comparatively evaluated, lab-tested, and the results published by independent, accredited and internationally recognised laboratories and institutions.

This is a great boon to consumers, since they no longer need to buy "a pig in a poke", nor be governed by the warning, "Caveat Emptor" - "Buyer Beware!" since the consumer now knows before he goes out shopping, between the "Best Buy" and the "Worst Buy"; what to buy and what not to buy.

Will the new Government assist the NCW of Sri Lanka to introduce it?

5. Will the new administration immediately ban the importation of GM (Genetically Modified) food or drink until definite guarantees are available as to their safety.

6. Finally, "Prevention is better than cure" may be an hackneyed expression, but very relevant to consumers.

It is the absence of such an efficient and effective preventive force that makes one see such comic happenings after the event: after people are poisoned by food and drink; after a dengue epidemic; a structural failure, etc. All pointing to the importance of kindred subjects pertaining to consumers coming under one umbrella - under a Ministry for Consumer Affairs. Other countries too have found it the most sensible thing to do.

What will be the new Government's views?

Consumers look forward to a better quality of life.

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