January 30, Colombo (LNW): The National Consumer Front (NCF) has called upon Trade Minister Nalin Fernando to promptly investigate the unexpected surge in vegetable prices in the market, ahead of the upcoming Presidential election.
Expressing concern over the price hikes, particularly in Dambulla and Nuwara Eliya, the NCF emphasised that the burden of increased prices should not be borne by consumers, making it challenging to sell vegetables in the local market.
Reportedly, as per the prices observed at the New Manning Market in Peliyagoda, the cost of a kilogram of carrots has risen to Rs. 2,000. Green chillies, previously priced at Rs. 800 per kilogram, have surged to Rs. 1,200, while Kekiri and pumpkin have seen increases to Rs. 300 per kilogram.
Chairman of the National Consumer Front, Asela Sampath, has formally requested Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena to investigate the sudden escalation of vegetable prices in the local market and seek immediate solutions to regulate prices.
Sampath urged consumers to refrain from purchasing vegetables at higher prices and called upon traders to cease bringing vegetables at elevated prices for at least a week to break this perceived manipulation.
Additionally, he appealed to the Minister to take swift legal action against traders engaging in inappropriate price hikes.
