Large scale monopolisation of longstanding businesses
Low income groups continue to be affected all the way
The retail fish stall of the local authority owned public market at the busy intersection at Kohuwala had five or more working assistants over a long period and fish was freely available even late in the evenings. The owner Mudalali had made daily purchases from the then St. Johns Fish Market, perhaps from a regular supplier and also from the Dehiwala fishing boats. Since the shifting of the St. Johns Fish Market to Peliyagoda, the Kohuwala fish stall and others in the vicinity cannot obtain the types and quantities of fish they desire. They were com- pelled to reduce the sales assistants to three and now to two, resulting in a person who had served for 28 years, losing his employment.
The public grievance is not about the strategic move of shifting to Peliyagoda with all the required facilities, but that Kohuwala and other outlets are experiencing difficulties in obtaining their preferred kinds and quantities. Perhaps the new owners may be having to cater to their earlier regular retailers and a third force of middle men may be another underlying reason. For customers with vehicles, who have got accustomed to the deep-freeze fish from Supermarkets for the convenience of parking facilities and credit card payment ability this may not be an inconvenience, though they too had purchased their daily requirement of fish from retail outlets.
This problem could be solved to a great extent, with the construction of another bulk selling centre in the Moratuwa area so that fish from the Southern and Western regions up to Colombo could be sold to retail outlets in Nugegoda, Maharagama, Piliyandala and Homagama areas where low income persons reside.
Retail trade in all types of businesses, particularly in semi-urban areas, should not be allowed to close down due to the commencement of State sponsored or private sector large organisations.
The proposed construction material sales centre at Peliyagoda will be helpful and financially beneficial to those constructing exclusive houses and apartments and to building contractors, yet, they will affect the retail traders.
Kasi Silva