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Commerce Ministry refutes Kiriella's claims

The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ministry yesterday refuted claims made by Plantations Minister Lakshman Kiriella that the Coconut Research Institute (CRI) could supply a million nuts a week at prices that would comply with those of the CWE.

A news release issued by the Ministry quoted CWE General Manager Wimal Perera as saying that the Plantations Ministry has failed to meet the volume and price promised earlier.

The actual quantity that could be supplied by the CRI is only around 20,000 to 30,000 nuts a week. It has also failed to maintain a consistent price (Rs.11.50) per nut, Perera said.

He said that the CWE was thus compelled to buy coconuts commercially to keep the CWE's selling price at Rs.14.95 per nut as a "relief measure for the consumer".

Speaking at a meeting at Kadugannawa on Monday, Minister Kiriella has said that his Ministry has not received an encouraging response from the CWE and the co-op unions towards its efforts to provide coconuts at a fair price to consumers. He said the country produced enough coconuts to meet the local demand.

New Judicial appointments

The following judges took oath of office in their new appointments before President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday.

Hon. Justice N.A.C.N. De Silva Jayasinghe, as a Supreme Court Judge, Hon. Justice Shirani Thilakewardena as the President of the Court of Appeal.

High Court Judge G.A.L. Abeyratne took oaths as a Judge of the Court of Appeal.

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