Traders yet to lower prices despite egg price drop

Colombo, September 30 (Daily Mirror) - Following the drop in prices of eggs, despite requests from canteen and restaurant owners to lower the prices of food items that contain eggs as ingredients, several traders have reported that they have not taken any action yet to reduce prices.

With the recent reduction in egg prices, the All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners' Association (AICROA) decided to pass the benefit to their customers by lowering the prices of food items that contain eggs. This decision aims to provide relief to consumers by reducing the cost of popular egg-based dishes.

Association President Harshana Rukshan announced that the prices of popular food items will be reduced. Egg rice and egg kottu will see a price drop of Rs. 40, while egg rolls will be reduced by Rs. 20. Rice and curry with eggs will also decrease by Rs.40, and the price of an egg rotti will come down by Rs.30.

Jathika Paribhogika Peramuna (JPP) President Asela Sampath added that the price of a kilo of cake could be reduced by Rs.200. He called for the resignation of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials appointed by former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando, to curb corruption.

Sampath urged the NPP government to take over the administration of the CAA and reduce corruption. He also suggested that an egg hopper should cost no more than Rs. 80, and egg rotti should be capped at Rs.100. Additionally, prices for egg fried rice and kottu could be reduced by Rs. 40, while a vegetable lunch packet with an egg could see a Rs. 50 drop. He also called for amendments to the Consumer Act, requiring food establishments to display price lists.

However, All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association (ACBOA) Chairman N.K. Jayawardana told the Daily Mirror that the reduction in egg prices would not immediately affect bakery item prices. He explained that bakery prices can only be revised if wheat flour prices decrease. While he welcomed the reduction in egg prices, he pointed out that the costs of margarine, palm oil and vegetables have risen, and no one has addressed lowering those prices.