Price dispute :

Sathosa managers to be taken to task

Irangika RANGE

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said if investigations proved that the Government stipulated prices are not enforced at islandwide Sathosa outlets, stern action will be taken against their managers.

Minister Gunawardena made these remarks during an observation at the Sathosa outlet at Vauxhall Street yesterday.

The Minister said Sathosa took measures to sell essential items at prices stipulated by the Government on November 12.

"If we receive complaints that any Sathosa outlet had sold essential items at higher prices over than maximum retail prices stipulated by the Government, we will carry out investigations through the Consumer Affairs Authority," the Minister said.

"If investigations prove that any Sathosa outlet had sold essential items at higher prices, action will be taken against their managers," the Minister said. Minister Gunawardena said wholesale prices of essential items in the market have been slashed and wholesale traders are selling them at the stipulated prices under the price agreement reached with the Government.