Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed both the Finance Minister and Economic Reforms Minister to inquire as to why the consumer continues to suffer despite the Government introducing several concessions to bring down the cost of living.


The Prime Minister on Friday held discussions with Ministers K. N. Choksy and Milinda Moragoda to discuss the issue of the rising cost of living.


With a view to rectifying matters, Minister Choksy yesterday told The Sunday Times that they will ascertain as to why concessions had not reached the consumer.


"The Government had made several concessions including the bringing down of customs duty from the previous 40% to 20% and for transportation purposes petrol and diesel prices too have been reduced, but we feel that it is only the trader and not the consumer who has benefited.


We will find out the reason for this as the concessions were made to bring down the CoL and ease the burdens on the consumer. Once we find out the reason we will bring in measures to rectify this situation" said Minister Choksy.


The mounting CoL living is a burning issue bugging the UNF government with several of its Ministers coming out strongly against rising prices.