Trade Ministry to stabilise commodity prices for six months

By Kelum Bandara 

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said his Ministry would reach agreements with importers and manufacturers of essential commodities to keep prices stable for six months from February except in case of a tax hike or the spike of exchange rates. 

The Minister told Daily Mirror he intended to stabilise the prices of a dozen of items imported or locally supplied. 
Among the items are rice, sugar, dhal, canned fish, wheat flour, washing powder, shower soap, tea and big onion.  The Minister said he called for bids through a newspaper advertisement from local manufacturers and importers to supply their products at stable rates for six months.