Trade establishment to replace Rajagiriya Budget Shop - Trade Minister

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardene yesterday told Parliament that steps were taken to close down the "Budget Shop" at Rajagiriya due to security reasons.

The Minister said another trade institution will be established in this premises in collaboration with the private sector to boost the national economy. The project report on this proposed trade establishment will be submitted to the Supreme Court on August 20.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by JVP MP Lakshman Nipunarachchi, the MP questioned why the Government did not reopen the Budget Shop which was closed for the SAARC Summit.

Gunawardene said the Committee on Cost of Living and Food Security decided to close down this Budget Shop.

This Budget Shop was opened following an assurance given by the wholesale dealers to the President to sell consumer goods at this place at retail prices. However, these wholesale dealers have sold their shops in this premises to various other persons.

Therefore, this place has become a threat to national security due to various types of people working in these shops, he said.

The Minister said as the Budget Shop is located close to Parliament Road the Security Forces have given instructions to park all vehicles patronising the Budget Shop inside it's premises.

Even though the Government has introduced Rs. 70 as a maximum retail price per kilo of rice, trader at the Budget Shop have refused to sell rice at that price by flouting the Government directive. Having considered this situation, the Ministerial Committee decided to close down the Budget Shop at Rajagiriya, he said.

After all the traders of the Budget Shop were informed in writing to remove their goods, traders have now gone to court regarding the issue.