The skyrocketing Cost of Living seems to have been forgotten with the approach of the Sinhala-Tamil New Year.
Shoppers were seen rushing in and out of shopping complexes and haggling with pavement vendors in the Pettah last week.
For the first time in recent history, North and South locked hands, with many northerners coming South for their Avurudu shopping. M. Ramodha, a housewife from Vavuniya said that the choice and variety of clothes was much wider than in previous years, but was costlier too.
“I’m happy to come to Colombo to purchase clothes, with transport facilities easily accessible unlike before,” she said.
The shopping malls and complexes were made attractive with colourful decorations to lure Sinhala-Tamil New Year shoppers. Pavement vendors were enthusiastic and vociferous in promoting their businesses since they also had to earn more for their celebrations. They used microphones to reach out to a sea of consumers.
Lakshmi Rajasuriya, a public servant from Galle who was shopping in the Pettah, said that although the choice of clothes was unlimited, the prices were higher than last year. “I’m spending my savings on avurudu shopping, because the expenses this year are a little higher than previously, but I’m satisfied, and my intention is to celebrate in grand style this time.”
The Sunday Times saw many consumers haggling over prices with the pavement vendors.
P. Mangala from Kaduwela had come with her family and was enjoying her shopping session. When asked about the prices of clothes and the other goods, she said the expenses were given the variety of items.
A shop owner at Pettah who pointed out that there were less shoppers in the city this time said this was probably because there were many shopping complexes outside Colombo city.
P.G Sriyani from Orugodawatte, said she was satisfied with the wide selection of available. “The presence of various shopping malls outside Colombo, means less shoppers in Pettach,” she said. |
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