Prices of 14 items further stabilised

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: Prices of 14 essential commodities will be further stabilised to afford relief to consumers, said Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana yesterday.

The Minister said according to the agreement reached with the Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association, the prices of 14 essential commodities will be: white sugar Rs.46.75, big onions Rs.48, potatoes (imported) Rs.55, canned fish (425g) Rs.88, sprats (Dubai) Rs.145, sprats (Thailand) Rs.170, green gram (normal) Rs.100, green gram (special) Rs.110, red onion (Veedanam) Rs.52, red onion (small) Rs.45, dhal (turkey) Rs.75, dhal (Australia) Rs.83, gram (Chinthamani) Rs.115, gram (normal) Rs.100, dried chilies (superior) Rs.160.

Maximum wholesale prices of 10 essential commodities including white sugar, green grams (normal), green grams (special), red onions (Veedanam), red onions (small), dhal (Turkey), dhal (Australia), gram (Chinthamani), gram (normal) and dried chilies have shown a significant reduction this month when compared to last month.

These 14 essential commodities' prices have been gazetted as a maximum whole sale prices and if merchants violate this prices stabilisation, legal action would be taken against them under the Consumer Protection Act.

This stable wholesale prices are implemented in the Pettah market, Meegoda and Welisara Economic Centres.

Consumers can purchase these essential items through 9000 regional cooperatives and Laksathosa branches islandwide.