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| Sunday, 2 June 2002 |
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Ministry to provide relief to consumers by Deepal Warnakulasuriya The Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ministry has taken the necessary measures to provide relief to the consumers who suffer with the recent fuel hike. A senior official from the Ministry said that they had already begun some relief programs with a price control of all consumer goods to help the common people. The Ministry sources also revealed that they have already initiated a program with a leading bakery in Welisara area to provide a loaf of bread at a price of Rs. 9.95. (approximately Rs. 10) The Official said that these products would be in correct weight (450 grams) and of good quality. He also said that what the Ministry can do is only to have a price control for other value added bread (Paralu Paan etc.) in the market. He further said that the second phase of this program will be launched in Kandy soon and will cover the whole island enabling consumers to buy a loaf of bread at Rs. 10 or less. The Ministry also revealed that a special program will be arranged by the Ministry with the collaboration of the US Embassy. A special delegation including the representatives from the US Department of Agriculture, the North American Millers' Association and the US Wheat Associate arrived in the country last month and discussed the probabilities of importing other supplement food to Sri Lanka. He also revealed that this decision came because selling of Wheat flour is still a monopoly in the country and importing new supplement food to the country will be arranged through only the Ministry and the Embassy. Commenting on the price increase of vegetables he said that the almost 150 CWE outlets have already started to sell fresh vegetables with the intention of providing relief to the public. He emphasized that vegetables in CWE outlets would be of best quality. "There are three competitive Gas suppliers in the country and the consumers can select the cheapest and best supplier. We provide facilities to all of them to sell their products all over the island", he added. The official also said that the price of other consumer goods will however not be increased since the shipping costs has not been increased so far. |
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