Don't jack up prices, Minister tells traders

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Government will import essential items and distribute them through Sathosa, Lak Sathosa and Co-op Cities if essential items are sold at higher prices during the Sinhala and Tamil New year, Trade Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

"Since there will be a long holiday before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Finance Ministry will have discussions with importers of essential items in Pettah to prevent a shortage of essential commodities," he told a media briefing at the Information Department yesterday.

He noted there are certain political elements and organizations backed by the LTTE blaming the Government for obtaining IMF loan and imposing taxes on goods to destroy the country's economy and assist the LTTE.

Minister Gunawardena said the price of milk powder will not be reduced but a tax will be imposed on imported milk products.

He said the Government reduced the price of essential food items and oil from November, adding that prices of essential commodities will not be reduced for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.