More concessions for masses by March - Minister Gunawardena

Mohammed Naalir

The Opposition United National Party (UNP) plans to call for a strike today demanding the Government to reduce the prices of essential commodities is ridiculous at a time the Government is granting enough concession on these items while spending a huge amount of money to fight terrorism in the North, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday.

He said even though the world faced with a huge crisis in 2007 and 2008 the Government did not cut down on welfare measures.

Gunawardena noted that due to the timely moves taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa inflation has come down by 10 per cent.

Minister Gunawardena speaking to the media at the Media Ministry auditorium, said the Government has taken all humanitarian measures to grant relief on essential commodities.

Continuing Minister Gunawardena said the price of a cylinder of Laugfs gas has been reduced by Rs. 456 from November while a cylinder of Shell gas is sold Rs. 244 less than its original price. Minister Gunawardena expressed confidence that the price of gas will further come down by March this year.

Accordingly the price of diesel will be down by 40 per cent, price of kerosene by Rs. 30, furnace oil by Rs. 40 and petrol by Rs. 37, the Minister said. .

Minister Gunawardena noted that moves are underway to grant a Rs. 20 additional concession to the Three Wheelers under a coupon system. Bus fares has been reduced by 15 per cent.

He said that the price of a cement bag has been reduced by Rs. 75. Cement is available for Rs. 710.

As the surcharge of electricity has been reduced by 15 per cent small and medium scale industrialists receive an opportunity to develop their industries, Minister Gunawardena added.