Price increase of Rs.8 on wheat flour illegal: NMCRP

It is illegal to increase the price of wheat flour because gazette No:1975/68 of July 14, 2016, issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No:9 of 2003, had named wheat flour as an essential commodity, National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) said.

The Prima Ceylon (Private) Limited today informed its agents that the price of a kilogramme of wheat flour had been increased by Rs.8 from today.

NMCRP President Ranjith Withanage said a control price of Rs.87 had been fixed for wheat flour under the gazette notice and as such the price could not be revised according to the wishes of the company.

“We urge the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Buddhika Pathirana to take legal action against the sales outlets which sell wheat flour on the new price," he said. “It seems that the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA)is treating small scale companies and large scale companies differently." (Sheain Fernandopulle)