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Lottery dealers to repeat protest over ticket price hike
The earlier strike was called off on January 5
Lottery dealers intend to stage a repeat protest over the recent price hike of the Development and National lottery tickets, a spokesman for the All Ceylon Lottery Dealers’ Association (ACLDA) stated.
The Lottery dealers also claim there had been a 40% drop in total sales since the price per ticket was increased from Rs 20 to Rs 30.
National Lotteries Board (NLB) Chairperson Shaymala Perera confirmed to the Sunday Times there had indeed been such a drop in sales. She, however, argued this was not unusual shortly after a price hike. “We expect sales to pick up again soon,” she added.
She also said that the NLB would appoint 500 new dealers. “We have processed 280 applications up to now.”
Earlier this month, lottery dealers and agents boycotted sales for several days, in protest over the price increase which came into effect from January 2, as proposed in the 2017 Budget. However, the strike was called off on January 5, following discussions between ACLDA representatives and President Maithripala Sirisena.