UNP MPs visit market to inquire about rice prices

Tuesday, 31 December 2019 02:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Visit Narahenpita market and find rice sold over fixed price
Say good varieties sold at Rs. 110-Rs. 115 per kilo
Govt. imposed maximum retail price of Rs. 98 two weeks ago

A group of UNP MPs who visited the Narahenpita market yesterday said that despite a Rs. 98 maximum retail price for a kilo of rice being in place, most varieties are rice are being sold at Rs. 100-Rs. 115 a kilo.

UNP MP Nalin Bandara who was among a group of five UNP MPs who visited the market said that the varieties sold at Rs. 98 were of poor quality.

“We went around the market and inquired about the price of rice and found that despite a maximum retail price, most traders are selling at higher prices,” he told Daily FT.

Two weeks ago, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) fixed the retail price for a kilo of rice at Rs. 98 following reports of a shortage of rice as well as the hike in prices during the festive season.

Bandara said that the program that introduced ‘Shakthi’ rice to the market through Lak Sathosa outlets under which a kilo of price was priced at Rs. 85 has been stopped by the Government.

“It was a successful program and many small and medium paddy owners befitted from it, as did the consumers,” the UNP MP said.

He added that if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was serious about reducing the price of rice, he should summon the five big players in the paddy market and talk to them. “They manilpute the market to suit their businesses,” he alleged.

The UNP members who undertook the tour included MPs Harsha De Silva, Ajith P. Perera and Majubur Rahman.

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