Sri Lanka, May 25 -- The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will crack down on traders who unreasonably hike the prices of essential goods to profit from the fluctuating market, Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe said.

The Minister told reporters that importers carry a distinct responsibility to conduct business fairly without exploiting the current economic pressures for undue advantage.

He said the US Dollar has gone up by Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 within the last 5 to 7 days and that the increase of the Dollar had not affected the importers of potatoes and big onions.

The Minister said while the Food Policy and Security Committee is taking action to make available essential goods in the market, the Consumer Affairs Authority will take act...