Business in the wholesale market has greatly decreased since most now go to the Dambulla Economic Centre to buy their essential commodities, says the secretary of the Pettah Essential Commodities Importers’ Association.

While speaking to adaderanabiz.lk, Pettah Essential Commodities Importers’ Association secretary G. Nathan said, “By now, the onion harvest from Dambulla is entering the market. So, most go to Dambulla to buy their stocks of onions and hence they don’t come to the Pettah. Since the other essential food items are also sold at Dambulla they need not come to the Pettah again. So, business is very slack at the Pettah wholesale market these days.”

Since the onion and potato harvests were reaching the market currently, the government recently increased the import levies on onions and potatoes to safeguard the local farmers.

The import levy on potatoes which was earlier Rs. 15 and big onions which was Rs. 10 was increased to Rs. 25.

They expect business to return to normal within about a week, added Nathan.