Stable prices for essential commodities

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to stabilise the prices of 10 essential commodities and has gazetted maximum wholesale prices under the its stable pricing agrement with the Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana said 14 items have been categorised as essential commodities including infant milk powder, cement, gas, wheat flour, dhal, turkey dhal, white sugar, red onion, big onion, sprats, green grams, kadala, dried chillies and potatoes.

Prices of these 14 essential commodities cannot be increased unfairly without the permission of the Consumer Affairs Authority.

This decision has been taken by the appointed "look into means of reducing the cost of living" committee headed by the President, the Prime Minister, Finance Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Trade Marketing Development, Cooperative and Consumer Services with the objective of giving concessions to the public. He said prices of nine essential commodities will show a significant reduction in the open market on the implementation of the agreement.

The Cabinet has given approval for the stable prices of 9 essential commodities and stable wholesale prices will be Rs. 75 for dhal, Rs. 70 for turkey dhal, Rs. 160 for Dried chillies (super variety), Rs. 145 Chillies (normal variety), Rs. 42 for red onions, Rs. 48 for big onions, Rs. 50 for potatoes, Rs. 50 for white sugar, Rs. 145 for sprats, Rs.105 for green grams and Rs. 115 for Kadala.