People in line to buy Brown Sugar from Sathosa for extra Rs. 10/-

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankans today started purchasing 01 kg of Brown Sugar for an extra Rs.10/- from Sathosa.

The Rs. 130/- MRP for Brown Sugar from Sathosa was announced by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna as a measure to control the prices increase in the local market.

However, until the announcement was made 01 kg of Brown Sugar was sold at Sathosa for Rs. 120/-.

Following the State Ministers announcement on Sunday (29), locals were seen lining up opposite Sathosa outlets across many areas to purchase sugar.

However, one customer was only allowed to purchase 01 kilogram of sugar.

Locals have expressed their dismay over this sudden price increase for sugar sold by Sathosa.

On Monday (30), authorities raided another warehouse which had over 800 tons of concealed sugar stocks in Kiribathgoda.

Interestingly, this warehouse which did not have a registration, suddenly produced a registration document after the raid was carried out.

State Minister for Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna told reporters that necessary legation action will be taken following an inquiry.

A Parliamentarian from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Jagath Kumara said that a Sugar Mafia is in operation, where a kilogram which is imported for less than Rs. 100/- is released to the local market for over Rs. 200/-.

'We need to summon parliament and draft the necessary legislation to punish those responsible for this situation,' he said.