People blame private traders for price increases

Below are the comments of the people on the festive season vis-…-vis cost of living.

A 57 year-old boutique owner of Kelaniya, Justin Hettiaratchchi said the Government cannot be blamed for the rise in vegetable prices and certain other essential food items, since private traders are also in the habit of creating artificial price increases during festive seasons.

"So it is the duty of the trade Ministry to intervene and protect poor consumers," he said.

An engineer, Kesara Satyajeewa called upon the Government to reduce taxes and bring down the prices of essential commodity items such as sugar, rice and flour as the skyrocketing prices have badly hit poor consumers. A private Bank employee of Avissawella, Nimal Pathirana said every item in the open market has gone up and people like them cannot afford the unbearable prices.

"I suggest that the Trade Ministry distributes sugar, rice, flour and dhal at reasonable prices through `Lak Sathosa' outlets and the private traders will follow same.

An undergraduate of the Sabaragamuwa University, Kamal Amunugama thanked the Government for waiving off the tax on potatoes and onions. He requested the authorities to make arrangements to reduce the price of vegetables.

"There is speculation that the reduced tax on potatoes and onions will be re-introduced soon after the festive season. If so, I call upon the Government not to do so," he said.

A retired teacher of Padukka, Palitha Gunawardane proposed that the Marketing Department sets up temporary vegetable stalls in every village to sell vegetables at affordable prices.

"If this is done private traders too will reduce the prices of vegetables," he said. A retired teacher, Samanthi Palliyaguru of Dehiwala said, "Actually every food item including vegetables and fish prices has gone up and it's very difficult to face the New Year with these increasing prices.

"I wish all Parliamentarians will look into our grievances and make every attempt to bring down the C-O-L,".

A bakery owner, Mrs. Nirmala Rodrigo of Mavanella called upon the Government to reduce the price of flour further, since most people in her area consume wheat flour based food items such as bread, string hoppers etc. A housewife, Mrs. Kanthi Satharasinghe of Colombo asked the trade Ministry to deploy a flying squad to crack down on errant vegetable vendors who are in the habit of selling short weight at the Colombo Manning Market. "Although vegetable prices are very low at the Manning market, many traders are openly selling vegetables short weight. Therefore I earnestly request the Trade Ministry to crack down on them and save the poor consumers," she said.

A public sector employee, Mrs. Renuka Senanayaka said the price of vegetables, fish and every other essential commodity item excluding onions and potatoes has gone up due to the artificial food shortages created by middlemen.

"Therefore I suggest that the CWE and the Marketing Department purchase vegetables from cultivators, so that, the prices can be reduced," he said.

A fruit seller, Rohan Jeewanlal said " The Marketing Department must set up vegetable sales outlets, especially during the festive season. If this is done the prices can be reduced."

A lottery ticket seller, Muhandiramge Sanji of Grandpass said that the vehicle park ban in the city has affected his daily sales adversely and asked the police to restrict the ban to enable people to stop their vehicles and purchase lottery tickets.

"Recently, a vehicle owner who stopped his vehicle in front of my lottery counter at Kollupitiya to buy a ticket was fined by the police," he said.

Wickremage Perera of Homagama called upon the Government to stipulate prices for sugar, dhal and onions. "As there is no price control on these important items, private traders sell them at different prices," he said.

Disanayaka Ranasinghe of Kandy said, "Although a loaf of bread is Rs. 20, many bakery owners sell them at Rs. 23 and more," "some bakers are also in the habit of making sandwich bread, buns, cakes and pastries without baking normal bread and I hope the Food Department will take stern action against them," he said.

Kapila Seneviratne of Nittambuwa called upon the Fisheries Ministry to set up fish stalls at least in the main towns, so that people can buy fish at affordable prices.

"At present fish sellers are selling fish at unbearable prices and it is the duty of the Department to take stern action against such errant traders, he said.

Pix by Vipula Amarasinghe

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