Enough stocks of essentials for New Year

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

There will be no price increases in essential commodities during the festive season and there are enough stocks of essential commodities in Co-operative and Sathosa stores,Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Minister Johnston

The ministry has taken all measures to prevent any price increase in essential commodities. If there was any manifestation of a price increase, the ministry will control it along with the Consumer Affairs Authority, he added. The minister was speaking at a press conference at the Co-operatives and Internal Trade Ministry, yesterday.

Sathosa and Co-operatives had ordered enough stocks of essential commodities and they have begun to distribute these items islandwide at Sathosa and co-operative outlets as well.

Under the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision a great service had been performed by the Co-operative movement and certain foreign countries said that there was no other concept to challenge the Sri Lankan co-operative system.

"With the end of the war we have received the opportunity to transfer all essential commodities to the North and East Provinces directly and at present the prices of those commodities are lower than in Colombo. The end of the war also helped to stabilize prices in all essential commodities as well," the minister said.