Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen has instructed the Consumers Affairs Authority (CAA) to ‘move fast on errant traders’ who fail to give the recent budgetary benefits to Sri Lankan consumers.
“I have received a number of complaints from the consumers that the price reductions from the recent budget have not been passed to them yet. I instruct you to move fast on errant traders who fail to give the recent budgetary benefits to Lankan consumers. Keep the 1977 hotline open and attend so that action such as raids can be done immediately,” the Minister instructed the CAA on Saturday (Feb 7).
In line with the mandate of the new government led by President Maithripala Sirisena, the Budget 2015 presented by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake reduced prices of certain essential items.
One litre of kerosene was reduced by Rs. 6, a kilo of sugar reduced by Rs. 10, a packet of 400 gram milk powder reduced to Rs. 325, tax on wheat flour reduced by 10%, bringing wheat flour prices down by Rs. 12.50 and a loaf of bread by Rs. 6.
