More raids during festive season:

CAA gets tough with errant traders

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has been directed to increase the number of raids against errant traders during the festive season, said Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando. Traders should sell essential food items at controlled prices, he said.

Adequate stocks of essential food items have been supplied to Lanka Sathosa and Coop Cities during the recent weeks.

A shortage of food especially during the festive season orchestrated by unscrupulous traders is a common occurrence to jack up prices.

This was why we supplied essential food items to Lanka Sathosa and Cooperatives which is the marketing arm of the Government, the Minister said.

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Secretary Sunil Sirisena said that Lanka Sathosa has 153 branches and over 5,780 Coop Cities, Mega Cities and cooperatives islandwide, he said.

People prefer to eat rice for all three meals daily as it is freely available due to low prices.

The Secretary said that his ministry was studying the reports presented by importers of milk powder and LP Gas who are demanding a price hike. Gas prices would not be increased immediately, he said.

According to the latest Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute newsletter, the wholesale and retail prices of pulses, vegetables and fruits have shown a downward trend during the past few weeks.