Selling coconuts in excess of this price is a punishable offence, says the Board’s chairman Kapila Yakandawala.
However, consumers say the price of a coconut in Colombo and
suburbs is between Rs. 80 and Rs. 100.
The National Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights says people are now unable even to have rice with Pol Sambol, as the price of a coconut has risen to Rs. 100.
In a statement, president of the Movement Ranjith Vithanage blames the Coconut Cultivation Board and the Coconut Development Authority for this situation.
According to him, both institutions do not have qualified officials, as appointments are made on political grounds.
These officials believe the distribution of coconut plants to be the only solution to the shortage of coconuts in the country, he notes.
Vithanage also says only the Consumer Affairs Authority is empowered to impose a control price and before doing that, coconut should be declared an essential commodity.
He urges authorities to implement a long-term effort to bring down the coconut price.
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