21 May 2022 12:00 am Views - 209
Newly appointed Trade Minister Nalin Fernando who assumed duties yesterday said lowering food prices would be challenging, but he would undertake to do it.
Minister Fernando told journalists that focus will be made on ensuring that there is stable management for Sathosa which is the state run retail chain . “The issue with Sathosa in my view is the frequent change of management. We hope to put a stop to it,” he said.
“However focus will have to be made on supermarket chains and other ordinary shops in the country which is approximately 200,000,” he said.
Also he said one should not expect a low price for rice as a fair price should be ensured for the farmers as well. “One cannot expect to purchase a kilo of paddy from farmers at a nominal price such as Rs. 12 or Rs. 13 but at a fair price of around Rs. 50 a kilo. In such a situation it is difficult to keep the price of rice below Rs 100,” he said.