Basil inaugurates new trade complex for pavement vendors

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated a trade complex at Norris Canal Road in Borella for pavement vendors.

Addressing the event Minister Rajapaksa said it was a crime if any trader sells unhygienic food for the innocent patients who frequently visit this trade complex to buy their day to day needs.

He urged the traders not to exploit innocent patients' money but be engaged in a  good business with a fair profit. This trade complex was also constructed as a response to the request made by the pavement traders who had no a permanent place to do business, he said.

Since this could be the main trade complex for the patients and people living in the flats nearby the cleanliness of the goods sold and clarity of the environment was very essential, he said.

The Minister further said complaints were being received from the people asking redress for their grievances. Therefore, it is your duty to maintain a transparent system in handing over the stalls for the traders and prevent any possible discrimination to anyone, he said.

Most of the times politicians were being found fault with in the matter of allocating trade stalls, he said.

Addressing the gathering Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the Colombo District parliamentarians had for some time been demanding for this types of facilities that would benefit the  innocent people of the city of  Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was keen to beautify the Colombo city without harming any citizens. Therefore, this trade complex would help all hospital employees and patients from all around the country.

Technology and Research Minister  Tissa Vitharana , Disaster Management Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Housing and Engineering Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Parliamentarians Thilanga Sumathipala, Duminda Silva, Special Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council Omar Kaamil and Colombo General Hospital Director Hector Weerasingha also attended the event.