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Wednesday, 7 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
Lanka Sathosa yesterday confirmed that it has temporarily stopped the sale and distribution of a controversial consignment of basmati rice, while denying reports that the sale of imported rice from Pakistan through their outlets has been completely halted, a top official said.
Lanka Sathosa Chairman T.M.K.B. Tennakoon told Daily FT that the claims made on social media sites accusing the State-run supermarket chain of selling “plastic rice” was misleading to the general public and authorities have taken quick action to probe the matter.
“Due to the fear that has been created among the general public, we have stopped selling and distributing basmati rice at Lanka Sathosa outlets for now, but we will resume sales and distribution after the investigations,” he added.
Noting that the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has sent samples taken from various Lanka Sathosa outlets to the Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka (ITI), he asserted that they would be able to inform the general public of the results of that report today or tomorrow.
In addition, Lanka Sathosa yesterday sent another sample of rice to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) Colombo to verify whether the alleged stock of rice was safe for human consumption.
According to Tennakoon, Lanka Sathosa has purchased a stock of 80 tonnes from a local supplier imported from Pakistan on a tender called for on 16 May and of that only 4 tonnes remain in the warehouse at present.
“We think it is a conspiracy. There is high competition in the marketplace with many players and this could be a conspiracy. We need to protect Lanka Sathosa,” he stressed.
He asserted that they would lodge a complaint in this regard with the CID and take legal action against those who tried to tarnish the image of Lanka Sathosa.
Elaborating on Lanka Sathosa’s weekly tender procedures, he said: “The tender board, headed by the Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary, calls for tenders weekly. There are licensed local suppliers that bid for these tenders and we consider the quality as well as the minimum price. We have a separate committee of experts to evaluate those goods called for by the tender board and under their recommendation we finalise it on every Tuesday noon.”
When asked whether Lanka Sathosa questioned the supplier in this regard, he said: “We contacted them immediately and they also denied the allegations. They also admit that it happened due to someone’s influence.”
However, Tennakoon said that until they received a scientifically proven report they were unable to accuse any party in this regard.
Acknowledging that there are no sufficient lab facilities or systems available in the country, he noted that it needs to be addressed immediately. Furthermore, in the future he said the institute would request a ‘country of origin certificate’ for imported consumer goods as a protective step to safeguard consumers.
The Government increased the special commodity levy on imported sugar by Rs. 10 with effect from last night.
The measure was taken on the request of local sugar manufacturers, while also considering declining world market prices.
When asked, the majority of sugar importers said that there would not be a major impact on prices.
