Traders oblivious to looming Covid-19 threat

By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa  

Traders and farmers are resorting to haphazard trade activities by road sides and in remote areas with no concern about the danger of COVID -19 after the closure of the Dambulla Economic Centre much to the anxiety of health authorities.  

A huge rush prevailed on the Dambulla-Galewela road, Anuradhapura –Dambulla road, and Dambulla- Habarattawala road, due to a large number of people engaged in business activities.Traders were seen using weighing equipment, computers and bill books of the Economic Centre. 

 
Racketeers were rampant carrying on their usual dealings with farmers, buying vegetable stocks at cheap rates to be re sold to traders for a profit.   
Meanwhile the traders said the government’s new scheme to distribute vegetables had failed and alleged that the operations division in the Economic Centre was implementing the scheme through several businessmen of their choice. They pointed out that it was safer to carry on business in the open air in this manner than within the confines of the Economic Centre.  

A former President of the Economic Centre Traders  Association U.R.Daya Nandasiri who met traders and farmers at the Kandalama junction warned them to strictly adhere to the instructions issued by the Health authorities. He said the farmers were facing immense hardships for want of a market after the closure of the Economic Centre.  

Dambulla Mayor Jaliya Opatha said that the Dambulla town had been exposed to the danger of Coronavirus due to the haphazard activities of traders. He warned the raders continually to refrain from violating safety measures but to no avail. The mayor pointed out that traders were not allowing farmers to deal with the Economic Centre 
Operations Division.     

Racketeers were rampant carrying on their usual dealings with farmers, buying vegetable stocks at cheap rates to be re sold to traders for a profit