Traders at isolated Dambulla Economic Centre appeal for help on vegetable stocks

Traders at the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre (DDEC) are appealing to the Government to take a decision regarding the vegetable harvest that has come to the centre after it was suddenly isolated after a large number of COVID-19 patients were found at the location. 

The DDEC was closed down and isolated until further notice on April 26 after the COVID-19 detections. Traders at the centre noted that closing it down for up to two weeks at a time when a bountiful harvest was coming in could have disastrous consequences on farmers. 

They pointed out that it was not possible to keep vegetable stocks in storage for about 14 days. As such, they noted that it will now be extremely difficult to meet the vegetable requirements of the armed forces, prisons and the general public. 

While they have no issues with the closing of economic centres, traders said the Government needed to implement a programme to purchase vegetable stocks in order to supply vegetables to the people.

By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa