Interview: New Year expectations

When the Sunday Observer interviewed people about their expectations during the Tamil and Sinhala New year period, school teacher Mrs. Kanthi Piyasoma of Nugawela Maha Vidyalaya said that essential food items are abundant at Co-operative and Lak Sathosa outlets and wanted the Trade Ministry to deploy additional flying squads to crackdown errant managers of some places who sell Government controlled essential food items to private sector traders in an illegal manner. “Thereafter, private traders sell them at exorbitant prices,”

Quoting an example, she said in her area some shop owners were in the habit of purchasing essential food items such as canned fish, big onions, chilies, dhal and Maldive fish at low prices from Sathosa and Co-operative outlets and sell them at high prices.

Mrs. Piyasoma also requested the Government to deploy police and other security personnel in plainclothes at thickly populated places, especially in the city and suburbs to protect people from unwanted elements.

Mercantile sector employee, Hiran Wijesinghe said although food items are freely available in the market today, that majority private traders sell them at exorbitant prices.

Therefore, he asked the Trade Ministry to inform consumers over television and through newspaper advertisements about the details of the price reduction of essential food items.

“If so, no shop owners can sell essential food items according to their wish,” he added. Managing Director, Jayalakshmi Oil Exporters, Raja Jayalakshman of Kotahena said the Government must grant tax benefits on certain food items including rice, dhal, potatoes and dried fish at least during the New Year period.

“If this is not done, traders increase the prices of such items during the festive season, as they know that consumers are prepared to buy them even at high prices,”.

He said even if neighbouring Tamil Nadu introduces new tax schemes during the main three festive seasons in order to protect consumers from blackmarketeers.

Manjula Harshani of Kelaniya asked the Food Department to import rice, dhal and dried fish during the festive season to distribute them at affordable prices through Co-operative shops,”.

He said in 1975, the then Government banned the private sector from importing essential commodity items and allowed the Food Department to import and distribute them to consumers during the New Year.

Schoolteacher, Surangani Hewagammana of Kochchikade said that plenty of fish is sold in the main Negombo market at very low prices in the mornings everyday and inquired why the Fisheries Department cannot buy them and sell to customers at reasonable prices.

She said in the absence of Fisheries Department, private traders buy them in bulk and sell them to customers at high prices, especially during this festive season. She therefore wanted the Fisheries Department to buy fish from countrywide fisher harbours and distribute them to customers in Department owned lorries.

Vegetable vendor at Manning Market, Colombo, N.A. Murugesu thanked the Government and the Security forces for creating a peaceful environment in the city and said the prevailing situation was conducive to all traders to carry out their business activities without any hindrance.

“However, I would like to inform the Trade Ministry that many vegetable vendors in the Manning Market sell their goods short weight,”.

He therefore urged the authorities to deploy flying squads to bring to book errant traders, for the benefit of thousands of customers coming to buy vegetable everyday.

University student, Nuwanthi Saputantri of Warakapola said “We have lots of New Year expectations, but most of our hopes are shattered due to the rising cost of living,”.

She said the monthly income of her parents was insufficient for them to purchase food items and attend to their educational activities.

“Therefore, I urge the Government to grant subsidies on essential commodity items by cutting down unnecessary spending, such as keeping a large Cabinet of Ministers and foreign trips of parliamentarians,”. Bakery owner, Jesudasan Sahabdeen of Kurunegala asked the Trade Ministry to be vigilant over the activities of bakery owners, because many bakery owners are in the habit of making short weight bread.

He also said when the price of a loaf of bread is Rs. 34, many bakery owners in his village sell them at Rs. 37 each. Textile shop owner, Razik Zaruk of Bambalapitiya said although he purchased a large quantity of garments from local manufacturers, the customer arrival was very poor.

“I think many present day customers, especially who are in Colombo and the suburbs prefer imported garments rather than local garments, therefore I urge the authorities to stop importing readymade garments if they really want to safeguard both manufacturers and traders,” Private sector employee, Nishantha Corera said at the time when the cost of living is high, the Government must think twice about the living conditions of majority downtrodden people in the country.

“Therefore, I request the President to remove the tax on petroleum and reduce at least the skyrocketed gas prices”. He said if gas prices are reduced during this festive season, it will be a great relief to everybody, especially the very poor section in the country. Peon in a Government Department, Simon Perera of Kandana said that although the shops and markets are full of goods, they are very expensive.

“People like us, are not in a position to celebrate the New Year with this rising cost of living, therefore I request the President to reduce the price of kerosine oil and gas considering our pathetic living conditions,”

M.A.S. Priyadarshani of Ratmalana said “As a big crowd is coming to the city for shopping and various other purposes during this festive season, I request the police to allow vehicle owners to park their vehicles at least on one side of roads to enable people to engage in their day to day activities. D.S. Amarasinghe of Kiriulapona said “We have lots of expectations during this New Year. Ending the war and bringing a peaceful atmosphere to our motherland is our main expectation.

“I wish the Government will go ahead with the war until a fully peaceful environment is created in the country and also take steps to bring down the cost of living which is immensely needed at this juncture.