News
Consumer rights group wants govt. to make goods available at reduced prices
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection yesterday urged the government to make available adequate supplies of the consumer goods at reduced prices from Monday.
President of the Movement Ranjith Vithanage said that it was commendable to reduce the prices of 27 goods, but the government had to ensure that such items were actually available at those prices.
“The Minister of Trade says that these items can be obtained from Sathosa, Cooperatives and Q shops. This is very good but we have seen this government do this before. They issue gazettes and make statements that consumer goods are available at controlled prices, but when we actually go to the shop these items are either out of stock or shop assistants tell us that these items are not available at the government-mandated prices.”
Addressing the media yesterday morning, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said prices of 27 consumer items would be reduced from Monday.
These items are: red Kekulu – (1 kilo) Rs. 93, white Kekulu – Rs 93, white Nadu – Rs. 96, Samba – Rs. 99, Keeri Samba – Rs 125, kilo of wheat flour – Rs. 84, kilo of white sugar – Rs. 99, kilo of brown sugar – Rs. 125, 100 grams of tea leaves – Rs 95, kilo of red dhal (Australian) – Rs. 165, Indian Big Onions – Rs 120, potatoes (local) – Rs. 180, potatoes (imported from Pakistan) – Rs. 140, kilo of chickpeas – Rs. 175, kilo of dried chili – Rs. 495, 425-gram canned fish (local) – Rs. 220, 425-gram canned fish (imported) – Rs. 265, Thai sprats – Rs. 545, a kilo of chicken with skin – Rs. 400, a kilo of salt – Rs. 43, 400 grams of milk powder – Rs. 355, 500 mililitres of Soya oil – Rs. 310, 115-gram bar of washing soap – Rs. 43, 650-gram bar of washing soap – Rs. 260, scented soap – Rs. 56, 100 mililitres of hand sanitizer – Rs. 250 and SLS certified masks – Rs. 14.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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