New Trade Min. prices overlook controlled prices: NMCRP

• Trade Ministry introduces 27 essential items at adjusted prices for 3 months 
• But organisation says CAA price controls sidestepped  

The Government’s effort to sell 27 essential items at adjusted prices was yesterday criticised by the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP), which said some prices were above the controlled prices.  

Under the new measures rolled out yesterday, the Trade Ministry has reduced prices of 27 items to be sold via Lanka Sathosa, cooperatives and Q-shops. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has hailed the effort, which he said was targeted at reducing food prices for three months. 

“We achieved lower prices by having discussions with our suppliers and negotiating lower prices with them on the basis that we, as the Government retailer, will purchase larger stocks. Under this effort the prices of 27 essential items will be reduced till end May,” Gunawardena told reporters. 

The reduction in prices is also aimed at the April New Year period when costs, especially for food items routinely reach high levels. 

However, NMCRP issuing a statement yesterday said the prices announced were higher than the prices mandated by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). The statement said that a kilo of sugar could only be sold at Rs. 85 but under the Trade Ministry agreement it would be sold at Rs. 99 per kilo. 

“The Trade Ministry is countering efforts to provide essential items to the public at lower prices by not implementing price controls as is traditionally done,” it added. 

The 27 essential items include prices of Red Raw Rice (1 kg), White Raw Rice (1 kg), Nadu (1 kg), Samba (1 kg), Keeri Samba, wheat flour, white sugar, brown sugar, tea (100 g), Australian red lentils (1 kg), Indian Big Onions (1 kg), local potatoes (1 kg), Pakistani potatoes (1 kg), chickpeas (1 kg), dried chilli (1 kg), local canned fish (425 g), imported canned fish (425 g), Thai sprats (1 kg), skinned chicken, crystal salt (1 kg), powdered milk (400 g), soybean oil (500 ml), laundry soap – BCC (115 g), laundry soap (650 g), body soap (100 g), handwash (100 ml) and face masks (SLS certified). Reportedly, the prices in this agreement can only be changed if the exchange rate changes or the Government imposes taxes on these goods.

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that no gazette notification will be issued for these items as prices have been jointly decided with traders.