Sri Lanka's Central Environment Authority (CEA) yesterday imposed another financial burden on the public by asking them to pay for the polyethylene sacks supermarkets use for bagging the groceries for free of charge normally. At a media briefing held to announce this decision, the Environment Minister and Ultra Nationalist Party, Jathika Hela Urumaya MP, Patali Champaka Ranawaka stated that the decision has been taken to prevent consumers misusing the bags. He said that all supermarket owners have agreed to this decision. With the new rule the consumers will have to pay 2-5 rupees for the polyethylene bags when buying groceries from supermarkets. Political observers express concern that the present government is using the institutions like CEA to subtly tax the people. Observers say that the government has no other option than taxing the people in all possible manners to maintain the luxuries of its jumbo cabinet and its corrupted administrators.