Importers of essential food items and institutions involved in distribution were summoned to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development yesterday (23) for a special discussion on maintaining uninterrupted supply and stable prices in the local market. The meeting was chaired by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe with the participation of Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardena and several senior officials from state institutions connected to food security, trade, finance and customs.
During the discussion, the Minister emphasized that the government would take necessary steps to ensure that the public does not face shortages of essential goods under the current global situation. He also instructed importers and distributors to continue supplying goods without interruption, especially to Lanka Sathosa outlets which are widely used by low-income consumers.
Attention was also drawn to possible delays in distribution due to fuel quota restrictions. Officials said an essential service vehicle registration system has been introduced to allow transport vehicles engaged in food distribution to operate without disruption.
The Consumer Affairs Authority informed the meeting that a weekly price range for essential food items will be published to prevent unreasonable price increases, and importers were requested to maintain prices accordingly.
Minister Samarasinghe said the matters discussed would be submitted to the Cabinet and further decisions would be taken after reviewing the situation again later this week.
