CAA clamps down on sugar, rice price manipulation, urges public action

• Adequate stocks of sugar and Keeri Samba rice available in the market 

 By Buddhika Kumarasiri   

 Director-Special Investigations of the Consumer Affairs  Authority Sanjaya Irasinghe said adequate stocks of sugar and Keeri  Samba rice were available in the market.  

  He said a stock of 37,000 tonnes of sugar was available  at present but the retail traders who were unwilling to sell them for  the control price of Rs. 275 had ceased to deal with sugar, creating a  shortage.   

 The official pointed out that 16 main sugar importers had  stocks in about ten large-scale stores complexes. He requested the  public to complain to the CAA against the traders selling sugar for  excessive prices, if any, who would be liable to fines up to Rs.500,000.    

 He said stocks of Keeri Samba sufficient for about four  months were available and that the profiteers, unwilling to sell rice  for the control price, had created a shortage. He further said the CAA  had carried out 2,805 raids and legal action taken against profiteers.