‘We are monitoring rice prices’: Rishad

Steps have been taken to prevent any supply shortages during the forthcoming New Year season and Sri Lanka’s largest state owned retail network chain will not be privatised, vowed Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on 28 March.

Minister Bathiudeen was responding to a question posed to him by Rupavahini’s Ayubowan live TV show on the morning of 28 March. Joining Minister Bathiudeen in the TV show was Lanka Sathosa Chairman TMKB Tennakoon.

“Today 28 March President Maithripala Sirisena is launching National Consumer Week when he inaugurates the 328th Lanka Sathosa outlet at Kohuwela. This sales network is being strengthened by us,” said Minister Bathiudeen, and added: “Lanka Sathosa has been serving Lankan consumers since 2005 and is recognised as the largest state owned retail sales network in the country, giving the lowest prices in the market. During the Consumer Week starting today we will launch another 49 Lanka Sathosa outlets across the country to give the best to our consumers in the forthcoming Avurudu season. We will not privatise Lanka Sathosa and we will make it viable and keep it in the public sector. The President, upon his return from Russia, has told me that he has been informed that rice prices are climbing again in the domestic market. As a result we are now monitoring rice prices in the market. In fact, all steps have been taken to prevent any shortages of essential items during the forthcoming New Year season. Essential supplies are ready. Anyone selling nominated rice varieties above MRP will be liable. The work under the unity government is slow since two political parties are in control, but in a year’s time, things will speed up.”

With the opening of the newest Lanka Sathosa sales outlet in Kohuwela on 28 March, its network expands to 428 branches. During the National Consumer Week ending 4 April, another 49 new Lanka Sathosa outlets also will be opened island-wide.