Traders charge exorbitant prices:

Minister warns trade mafia

PMB releases rice stocks to deflate prices:

Chaminda Perera

The Trade, Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives Ministry yesterday announced that it would be left with no other option other than to import essential food commodities if traders continue to charge exorbitant prices from consumers.

Minister Fernando

Trade, Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that a traders mafia is in operation and consumers have to pay more for essential commodities.

The Minister added that the Government will directly involve itself in the reduction of essential commodity prices, if the operation of this traders mafia continued.

Over 300 MT of paddy purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board was processed and they were released to the local market yesterday to reduce the prices of rice in the market.

The Minister said the consumers can buy a kilo of Samba at Rs 63.50, Nadu at Rs 58.50, Red Nadu at Rs 43.50 and Sudu Kekulu at Rs 53.50 through Lak Sathosa, Mini Coop cities and coop cities islandwide.

He urged the public to purchase essential commodities from Lak Sathosa, Coop Cities and Mini Coop Cities where prices of essential items are much below than at other outlets.

The Lak Sathosa sells a kilo of potatoes at Rs 84 where as the price of a kilo of potatoes is above Rs 100 elsewhere.

He said the Ministry will reduce the prices of a number of essential commodities including canned fish in the coming weeks.

Minister Fernando added that prices of all essential commodities are cheaper at Lak Sathosa, Mini Coop Cities and Coop Cities islandwide. The wholesale price of a Samba Kilo at Lak Sathosa is Rs 59 while Red Nadu and Sudu Nadu are sold at Rs 54 and Rs 49.