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MRP Rs. 1,575 cement sold for Rs. 2,100

28 Jan 2022

  • Susantha Liyanarachchi claims CAA hesitant to control cement price
  • State Ministry raids cement suppliers 
By Imsha Iqbal  Due to the prevailing cement scarcity in Sri Lanka, a 50 kg cement bag, which has a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 1,575, is sold at Rs. 2,100, stated National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) Chairman Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi yesterday (27).  Speaking to the media, he said: “The cement bag that is priced at Rs. 1,575 is sold at Rs. 1,900 in Ratnapura and for Rs. 2,100 in some other areas. Meanwhile, in Galle, Matara, and Hambantota there are no stocks to be purchased.” He added that on Tuesday (25), 22,000 metric tonnes (MT) were imported to the country, which accounts for 440,000 bags and another consignment of 9,200 MT was also imported, which can be packaged into 200,000 bags.  Liyanarachchi added that the Government has not been able to control the price yet, because the Pricing and Management Division of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has not intervened in controlling the price of cement. In addition, he said that 40% of the country’s demand is produced domestically, while the rest is imported by two companies; one of them supplies 32% and the other imports 18%. The rest (10%) is imported and packed locally and distributed to the market.  Meanwhile, the State Ministry of Rural Housing Construction and Building Materials Industries Promotion yesterday decided to raid cement suppliers who may have hidden cement stocks. The decision to conduct raids came during a meeting held between the State Ministry and stakeholders.  The State Ministry noted that along with the CAA, it will take measures to ensure fair prices of cement in the market.  On Monday (24), issuing a press release, the CAA informed traders that their raids would continue to ensure cement isn’t sold at an exorbitant price. “In the power invested in the CAA, it is to take further actions; the cement stocks, that have been kept in hiding in order to refrain from trading, would be taken into custody under a court order and such stocks would be confiscated by the Government,” the release stated.


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