Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has rejected claims by Opposition MP Chaminda Wijesiri that the newly opened government sugar outlet selling brown sugar has failed, saying sales have exceeded expectations within days of its launch.
Wijesiri, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP, said the sugar outlet had been unsuccessful, accusing the government of poor planning and execution.
Responding to the criticism, Abeysinghe said the outlet had been in operation for only nine days and had already recorded sales exceeding Rs. 800,000. He said the figures clearly demonstrated strong public demand and contradicted Opposition allegations of failure.
“The shop has been open for just nine days, and sales have already crossed eight lakhs. This shows the concept is working,” the Deputy Minister said, adding that the initiative was aimed at making brown sugar more accessible and affordably priced to consumers.
The government has positioned the outlet as part of a broader effort to stabilise sugar prices and encourage healthier consumption through the promotion of brown sugar. (Newswire)