January 19, Colombo (LNW): In a move aimed at bringing down prices and alleviating the burden on consumers, Trade and Commerce Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has revealed plans to expand the Sathosa retail network to 1,000 outlets across the country.
The announcement came during the reopening of the renovated Sathosa outlet in Anuradhapura, where the Minister spoke about the government’s efforts to make essential goods more affordable.
Samarasinghe explained that the government has already made significant strides in reducing the cost of living, with prices of many everyday items dropping by 17 per cent over the last three months.
The Minister further revealed that, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to control prices, plans are in place to establish over 150 new Sathosa outlets in 2025 alone, with a long-term target of reaching 1,000 outlets within the next three years.
“We are determined to ensure that every citizen has access to affordable goods. Over the past three months, we have managed to reduce the prices of 40 essential items by 8 per cent. With the planned expansion of the Sathosa network, we aim to create more touchpoints where the public can buy necessities at reasonable prices,” Samarasinghe stated.
The government’s strategy of expanding the Sathosa network is part of a broader effort to tackle inflation and improve access to essential goods across the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
With the new outlets, the government hopes to strengthen its presence in local markets and provide consumers with more options to purchase products at controlled prices.
