One-stop shopping at Lak Sathosa outlets

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The 'Lak Sathosa' outlets are to be developed as integrated shopping centres to accommodate a variety of retail functions under one roof. The aim is to provide 'one-stop' shopping, enabling customers to access a variety of goods and services without having to go elsewhere.

Trade, Marketing, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that the Government was planning to initiate a series of such shopping centres courtesy 'Lak Sathosa'. He said that the first such centre would be established in Kilinochchi.

Similar outlets too are to be opened in other major towns in the North later.

According to the Minister, the Kilinochchi centre would be equipped with mini banks, utility bill payment centres, pharmacies, a filling station, food outlets, a mini-motel etc in addition to other consumer products in line with international mega malls.

The Minister said that authorities were planning to negotiate with Banks to establish mini-branches in 'Lak Sathosa' outlets. He also said that services would soon be upgraded at 'Lak Sathosa' branch islandwide to enable the payment of utility bills.

Minister Fernando said that his Ministries' target was to propel 'Lak Sathosa' into the top 15 enterprises with the highest turn over in the country, during the next three years. He noted the above at a ceremony where the National Lotteries Board announced that their lotteries would be available for sale at the 'Lak Sathosa' outlets as well.

Initially the lotteries 'Mahajana Sampatha' and 'Supiri Vasana Sampatha' were to be made available in 50 chosen "Lak Sathosa" outlets in the country. Later the entire range of NLB lotteries were to be made available courtesy the islandwide 'Lak Sathosa' network. The NLB also plans to hold a separate draw for lottery buyers from 'Lak Sathosa' who fail to win a prize. Winners of this draw were to receive a package inclusive of all essential consumer goods.