A middle man free sales centre where consumer goods will be available at reasonable prices will be opened tomorrow (14) at Kirimandala Mawatha, Narahenpita, Minister of Consumer Affairs Trade and Cooperatives Bandula Gunawardena told The Island yesterday (12).

It will have 154 stalls dealing in retail and wholesale trade of rice, coconut, spices, vegetables, fish, fruit and other consumer products from the rural sector. Products are directly supplied by the producer.

Rice will be supplied by millers from Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa while fish would be supplied by the Fisheries Corporation and private sector fishing fleets from several areas. There will be 43 vegetable sales outlets receiving their stocks direct from vegetable growing areas like Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, Thambuttegama and Uva Paranagama among other areas, he said.

New post harvest packing technology will be used by the suppliers who will not pack their goods in gunny bags as was done by the normal trade but in plastic containers designed to prevent vegetables or fruits being spoilt, Gunawardena said.