Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has reportedy decided not to interfere in the activities of the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Co-operative Department.

Although these two institutions currently exist under the Minister of State for Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Gunawardena as the Cabinet Minister was involved in their activities at the monitoring level.

However, Gunawardena has decided not to be involved in any of the activities of the two institutions in view of the allegations made by Thushan Gunawardena, the former Executive Director of the Consumer Affairs Authority, that the two ministers had pressured him.

The Criminal Investigations Department and the Ministry of Trade have launched two separate investigations into the allegations levelled by Gunawardena who recently resigned from his office.