Vegetable prices normal; no surge in prices: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, July 24 (Daily Mirror)- Refuting reports that vegetable prices have shot up suddenly, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today that vegetable prices in the market are normal.

Responding to a statement by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that vegetable prices have soared within the last few days, he told Parliament that the Opposition Leader has been provided with incorrect data.

Premadasa said a kilo of green chili and capsicum is sold at Rs. 1,000 whereas they were sold at Rs. 350 to Rs. 450 last week. "How come prices shot up like that?" he asked.

Minister Amaraweera said the Opposition Leader has been provided with wrong data and added that a kilo of capsicum is sold at Rs. 600, beans at Rs. 600, carrot at Rs. 400, Leeks at Rs. 400 and brinjals Rs. 120 at the Manning Market in Peliyagoda.