President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed that adequate stocks of all essential food items be maintained to ensure there is no shortage.
The President said such measures will help prevent organised efforts of certain businessmen to increase prices by creating a false scarcity.
The President was speaking at a discussion yesterday on seeking prompt solutions to challenges linked to trade, commerce and food security.
It was emphasised that a portion of the agricultural produce that is distributed to the wholesale market, to be made available to the rural market.
The President said the drop in transport costs will enable rural consumers to obtain goods at a lower price while the farmer receives a higher price as well.
The President also issued directives to the Consumer Affairs Authority to take legal action against individuals who take advantage of the current situation and engage in trading at unreasonable prices.
The need to actively maintain Sathosa outlets and co-operatives island wide and controlling prices of essential food items instead of allowing prices to be imposed on the whims and fancies of traders was discussed at length.
