Minister pooh - poohs media sensation

Milk powder price hike

by Ananda Kannangara

The price of all brands of milk powder was increased by the importers recently. The Sunday Observer last week sought the views of the Minister in charge and also the general public on this issue.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardana refuted claims that the recent price hike in every major products in the world market including crude oil, milk powder had gone up by a meagre 10 per cent and not more as allegedly reported by certain media.

He blamed certain print and electronic media for acting in an irresponsible manner.

"We admit that the price of milk powder has gone up, but not what has been quoted in certain media, which has misled the general public,"

He also asked consumers to purchase milk powder from either the Laksathosa outlets or at the co-operatives where welfare packets are freely available at cheaper rates.

The Minister pointed that the hike has been allowed only for a period of two months and by then a new price structure will be announced.

An owner of a three wheeler Palitha Senaratna was not happy with the increase from Rs. 17.00 to Rs. 34.00.

"We are the poorest of the poor and we earn very hard for our daily bread, so, when the price goes up like this, what is the plight of our infants?,".

He wants the authorities to look into this humanitarian situation. A mother of two, Deepthi Priyadharshani put the blame squarely on the Trade Ministry for not coming down hard on the milk powder importers for the unreasonable increase.

"I earnestly request President Mahinda Rajapaksa to personally intervene into this matter and direct the milk powder importers and other relevant authorities to grant a considerable relief to the poor consumers,"

A father of three, Pathberiya Wimalasena of Hanwella was furious when he spoke of the price hike said that not a single government in the past had allowed a free hand to increase the prices, that too, by a big margin.

"Even the previous Government did increase but only by a small figure between Rs. five to seven."

A. Gunadasa of Avissawella defended the Government as it is helpless to do anything and to dictate terms to the world market.

"So, I will not put the blame on the Government, but the authorities too should care for the 70 per cent of the population who find it difficult to make ends meet and consider a subsidy on milk foods."

The price increase was a hit for low income groups living in urban areas and not the villages where fresh milk is freely available, he said.

A resident of Embilipitiya, Munasinghe Dissanayaka wanted the Government to introduce a rational scheme for the benefit of children under fifteen.

"Then, at least the powder can be sold to the needy at reasonable prices through the system,"

Ashroff Gulzar Khan in Colombo said the Government could easily provide a subsidy if they stop their unnecessary expenditures.

"I propose to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold a dialogue with all his ministers and explain the economic situation in the country,"

"Thereafter, cut down on the ministerial portfolios up to forty whereby large sums of money, spent on their respective staff and their security could be utilised to grant a subsidy on milk powder,"

A tea estate owner and a landed proprietor Nelson Samaranayaka of Baduraliya was not happy with the price increase, considering the pathetic living of workers in his tea estate.

"It is a pity that infants and small children in my estate are given milk only once a day due to the high cost".

"After this price hike, the situation is bound to become worse, and therefore I appeal to the authorities to grant a subsidy, thinking of the poorest in our society,"

A 56-year-old school teacher Sudharman Samarawickrema of Yatinuwara Veediya, Kandy asked all milk powder importers and distributors to refrain from giving undue publicity to their products by spending millions through print and the electronic media every year and instead utilise that colossal sum to off set the price increase.

A retired Government Agent, Sakwith Gunathilaka said "Actually speaking, the Government could grant a subsidy to both fuel and the milk powder, provided they take measures to save money, by cutting down on the extravaganza."

"I appeal to all the Parliamentarians to table a resolution to abolish the Provincial Council and the Pradeshiya Sabha system for which, the Government at present, spends a huge sums to maintain the members, security, staff and their vehicles,".

"This saving could be diverted for a subsidy on milk powder and the fuel".

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