First Mahaweli Trade Centre opens :

Essentials at reduced prices

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry has launched a program to establish Mahaweli Production Trade Centres throughout the country.

As the first stage the first Mahaweli Production Trade Centre was opened opposite the Ministry premises at TB Jayah Mawatha, Colombo yesterday.

The Ministry hopes this will help reduce the prices of essential food items such as rice, milk, vegetables and fruits.

The Ministry has also made arrangements to establish four more Mahaweli Production Trade Centres in the Colombo city.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said this program will create a new trade network throughout the country in the near future. Under this program every agriculture production will directly come through farmlands to markets.

The Minister said that the Ministry has planned to hold a New Year fair at the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo on April 8, 9 and 10. The fair will help the public to buy goods for the forthcoming new year, de Silva said.

The Minister said, these food products had been grown using organic manure and does not contain pesticides.

The program's other aims are to provide good, fresh and cheap food to the people. The Ministry expects this program will help strengthen farmers' economy.