Pettah rice wholesalers down shutters

   
          
  Several wholesale rice traders in Colombo Pettah downed their shutters today (Apr. 17th), saying that they could not afford to sell their present stocks below the ceiling prices that are now effective.

President of the Old Moor Street Traders Association N. Palaniandi said traders had stocks of certain Samba varieties that had been bought at Rs. 80 to Rs. 85, although the new maximum price set by the government is Rs. 70.

Mr. Palaniandi said he expected the matter to be sorted out through discussion with the authorities today itself, and requested the membership of his association to open their businesses.

A government gazette set the maximum prices for rice that came into effect at midnight on April 16th.

Accordingly, Samba will be sold at a maximum wholesale rate of Rs. 63 per kilo, while the retail price will be Rs. 70.

For Nadu, the prices are Rs. 58 (wholesale) and Rs. 65 (retail), which are the same for Red Kekulu.

White Kekulu will be sold by wholesalers at Rs. 48 and at Rs. 55 by retailers, according to the new prices.

Clause 18 (1) of the Consumer Protection Act says it is a punishable offence to sell at higher rates, not to display a price list, to hoard, mislead consumers and refuse to issue receipts.

Complaints could be lodged with the respective District or Divisional Secretary or the Consumer Affairs Authority, the government said.