News
The Orugodawatte ‘mobile market’
View(s):Sri Lankans are quick to seize an opportunity, whenever one presents itself. The unofficial ‘mobile market’ which has sprung up at the Orugodawatte Junction traffic lights, where entrepreneurs bearing a variety of wares rush up to vehicles held up until the traffic lights change is a case in point.
Pix by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Motorists are usually held up at this junction for around 5 – 6 minutes, providing more than enough time for enterprising individuals to put through a few deals. The 23 or so traders who operate at this junction say there is a brisk turnover of business.
There are currently around 23 such small traders dealing in goods ranging from children’s toys, to books, to items of food and drink. Those selling children’s toys do pretty well, as parents with little children have little choice but to purchase the low priced items to appease their children when stuck at the traffic lights.
Whilst it is undeniable that those involved in this ‘mobile market’ are an enterprising lot, they also pose problems to motorists as they weave their way between vehicles posing a danger to both themselves and motorists alike.
But it is equally important to remember they are hardworking individuals making the best of a bad situation they find themselves caught up in… unemployed, families to feed and an ever rising cost of living.
Let’s keep this in mind, when you next find yourself caught up in traffic at the Orugodawatte ‘mobile market’.
A book seller makes his pitch as he weaves through vehicles caught up at the Orugodawatte traffic lights
A vendor displays children’s toys in the middle of traffic, endangering his life and being a nuisance to motorists
A trader enters a bus at the traffic lights
A fruit seller makes his pitch
A book seller at the 'mobile market'
Bargain, four books for just 100/-
An individual stuck in traffic purchases food items from a passing vendor
Baloons, balloons, get them for your daughters and for your sons