Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana opening a new Coop City in Panadura said that this this is the first step under a Government programme to set up 350 Coop-Cities across the country, including the North and East as a mechanism to provide essential commodities at low prices.

It was to this end that the Government established the State Trading Wholesale Company Ltd to purchase essential commodities and distribute them through co-operatives and Sathosa outlets at low prices.

The Ministry is also expected to open 25 more Coop-Cities before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

According to a ministry spokesperson, the Government will import ponni samba and cement and distribute them through these Coop-Cities, Co-operatives and Sathosa outlets. This will prevent errant traders’ attempt to create an artificial shortage by concealing stocks and selling essential commodities at higher prices.