The lorries have arrived from various parts of the island and the traders are busy unloading the goods - fresh fruits and vegetables, onions and spices. This done they update the price lists for the day before opening their shops to the customers anxiously waiting to get in and pick up the bargains.
The Economic Centre located on Kirimandala Mawatha, Narahenpita becomes a hub of activity every evening with a larger number of people, most of them office workers on their way home, stopping by to purchase the provisions they need.
Opened in January this year, the objective behind this Economic Centre is to provide people with quality goods for relatively low prices under one roof, said its coordinator Srimathi Jayatunga. Under a project initiated by the Ministry of Trade, Marketing Development Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, several other such economic centres have already been established in various parts of the island such as Dambulla, Meegoda, Ambilipitiya, Welisara, Thambutthegama and Ratmalana.
The Economic Centre complex is well designed in a user-friendly manner on a large plot of land which has adequate parking facilities. It consists of 125 shops that offer a wide range of goods – from vegetables, fruits, spices and grocery items to fish and meat. Simply, everything that you need except for fabrics, is available here, said Mrs Jayatunga adding that plans are underway to open a full fledged clothes complex in the near future. “There is also a State Trading Corporation (STC) outlet in the premises and the goods available here are at discount prices,” she said.
Mrs. Jayatunga said the complex was open from 4.30 p.m.-11.pm every day, especially for the convenience of the office crowds. The goods are brought in directly from the farms located in various parts of the country such as Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela and as there are no agents involved they are able to provide goods at low prices.
“We monitor the goods they sell in terms of quality and quantity. It is mandatory that the traders take part in the monthly meetings held with the minister to discuss their issues and ideas,” she explained adding that public complaints, if any, can also be directed to the coordinator’s office located in the premises.
Some of the customers who had come to do their marketing said the concept of economic centres was a relief, given the prevailing high cost of living and very convenient too.
E. A Jayasinghe, a resident of Nugegoda who was visiting the centre for the first time said she found the prices very economical. Nehara Gamage from Battaramulla too said she was able to buy quality goods for affordable prices.
Traders themselves say business has been fairly good.
Sunil Amarasinghe who has a rice outlet said since that they bring down rice directly from their mills they are able to sell a kilo of rice at least Rs 5 or 10 less than the normal market prices. “We get retail buyers till about 9 o’clock in the night and the wholesale buyers usually come thereafter,” he said.
Nirmala Niranjani who runs a ‘keera’ stall at the Economic Centres said the fresh greens were brought to the outlet every day from Haritha Lanka farm in Halawatha and the demand is such that at the end of the day there would be nothing left to be thrown out. |
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