Fifty kg bag of cement at Rs 645

Suraj A BANDARA

The Ceylon Cement Corporation (CCC) has taken steps to issue a 50 kg bag of cement at Rs 645 from the Panchikawatta Cement Bagging Centre, CCC chairman Sisira Jinendra Paranagama told the Daily News.

His comments came in the wake of several companies demanding a price increase beyond the controlled price of Rs 750.

‘Some organized groups are attempting to increase the price of cement citing a severe shortage of cement in the country. The cement price will be controlled by the CCC by issuing cement at Rs 645, he said.

He further said that if any distribution centre is found guilty of selling a bag of cement beyond the controlled price, their permits will be cancelled and stern legal action taken against them.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has been conducting islandwide raids to track down errant traders who are in the practice of hoarding and selling cement above the controlled price. The CAA arrested several errant traders who sold cement above the controlled price.