Gazettes to control prices futile in a market economy – Eran

SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne yesterday emphasized that the government should understand that since the country has a market economy today, controlling prices through the gazette is an outdated method.

A price control has been set by reducing the price of an egg sold at Rs. 65 in the market to Rs 45. Similarly, the government issued 13 Gazettes within the last two years to control the price of rice, setting various prices, he said.

He said that the government had to reverse all those gazettes due to its inability to control the price of rice through those gazettes. The same fate has befallen to the gazette issued for egg price control, he said.

Wickremaratne was speaking at the press briefing held yesterday (24) at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

He reiterated that the SJB completely denounces the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against peaceful protesters by this government.

Unfortunately, the President who was in the forefront to bring reforms to PTA at that time is now using the same provisions to deal with peaceful protesters when there are enough provisions under the normal laws of the country, he said.

“Some say the police have given reason why they want to use the PTA to deal with peaceful protesters. It is not for the Police to decide but for the Government to determine that the PTA cannot be used and the normal laws of the land should be applied,” urged Wickramaratne.

He further said SJB won’t condone violence and those who purported such violence. “We completely denounce those who burnt and caused damages to the houses of some members of Parliament. But the normal laws of the country must be applied. Justice must prevail therefore, he said, the use of PTA should be completely denounced.