Matara shop owners selling food items at exorbitant prices to flood victims

Customers claim that shop owners were making money off the misery of those effected by the floods that have hit the area by selling essential commodities such as rice, dhal and salt at exorbitant prices in many areas in the Matara District where flooding was experienced for five consecutive days.

The food shortage that exists in this district is especially acute due to this situation. The shortage of goods had been further aggravated due to the unavailability of foodstuffs due to deliveries being delayed owing to the adverse weather conditions as well as the large scale purchase of certain items to be used for relief services. In addition, many people had stocked essential items in their homes fearing that there could be a food scarcity in the coming days. Shop owners were making money off the misery of those effected by the floods that have hit the area by selling essential commodities at exorbitant prices

It is said that a kilo of onions, previously sold for Rs 90 a kilo was being sold at Rs.130, a kilo of sugar that was earlier sold at Rs. 105 was now being sold to consumers at Rs.130 while a kilo of rice previously sold at Rs.78 was now being sold for at Rs.100 and an egg previously sold at Rs. 12 was now Rs. 20.

However, the public was compelled to buy these items even at the higher rates due to the prevailing situation.

It is learnt that the Consumer Protection Authority had begun carrying out raids to take into custody vendors who sell food items above the stipulated prices.