State Minister of Co operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the position of Commissioner-General of Essential Services has been terminated as his services are no longer required.
Addressing a media briefing on Friday the State Minister said the Government had decided that there is no need to continue the said role.
The Government appointed a Commissioner-General of Essential Services in late August to oversee and coordinate the distribution of consumer goods and essentials including paddy, rice and sugar.
However, State Minister Alagiyawanna said nobody could say the appointment was a futile act as the Commissioner General of Essential Services played a vital role.
He said publishing gazette notifications is not the only solution the Government has to control the prices of commodities.
“There are many other ways. The government makes use of all these methods to protect the consumer.”
The State Minister said that the Pricing and Management Division of the Consumer Affairs Authority is on alert about the price rates. “The prices set by traders must be displayed. If prices are revised again, we will specifically look into it too.”
Commenting on encouraging consumers to purchase additional products when purchasing essential items from Sathosa, the State Minister said, pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act, it is not legally possible to mandate a consumer to purchase additional items when purchasing other products.
“But a request can be made.”
“At present, there are price controls on PCR testing, rapid antigen testing, dengue antigen testing and water bottles. However, there is no need to change that,” he said.