Mobile phone, accessory prices to go up again: Communication Owners’ Assn

After the government's decision to ban the importation of 300 consumer items, the All Ceylon Communication Owners' Association (ACCOA) today said that the prices of mobile phones and accessories would go up again as per the prices announced by the major importers.

ACCOA Chairman Indrajith Perera told the Daily Mirror that the prices of the existing mobile phones and accessories would go up to higher prices, which they could not determine.

Mobile phones have since become very essential and vital devices and the most common accessories such as chargers, back covers, displays, cables, screen protection shields and other electronic parts are also considered extremely vital to maintain the devices.

There is no price control on mobile phones and accessories in the local market. Therefore, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) should take measures to introduce a price control mechanism.

He stated that it is unusual that the prices of mobile phones have increased, most of the shops have already closed down, and the remaining shops have reached to a point where they are unable to continue providing any service.

He said that suspending the imports of such products would definitely threaten the lives of those involved in the mobile phone industry. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Pix by Nisal Baduge