Johnston gets tough with errant suppliers

Minister Fernando

Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday directed the ministry Secretary to annul all tenders of suppliers who try to take the Lak Sathosa for a ride by supplying substandard essential items.

Ministry Secretary Sunil S Sirisena was directed to probe those supplying low quality commodities to Lak Sathsa, though high quality samples are shown to Lak Sathsa. The minister made this directive after inspecting the McCallum stores complex at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10 yesterday. Minister Fernando said that he is making every possible effort to provide high quality commodities to consumers. He ordered the Lak Sathsa management to refurbish Lak Sathsa stores islandwide.

He also directed officials to refurbish the main stores complex at McCallum road within a week.