Sri Lanka to start importing eggs next week

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said that eggs will be imported to the country next week.

The announcement comes in a backdrop where several ruling party factions claim there is no money to go for an election.

The Minister said that an imported egg will be sold for a price between Rs. 40/- to Rs. 42/-.

A meeting took place on Wednesday (4) evening at the Trade Ministry on importing eggs.

The size of the eggs, quarantine certificates, prices, and related matters were discussed at this meeting.

The State Minister said that the eggs will be imported via the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation.

He said that 20% of the domestic requirement will be imported, and the ministry is in possession of the necessary funds to for the imports.

However on Tuesday (3), The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association warned that if the government goes ahead with its decision to import eggs, the local producers would step away from the industry.

The Chairman of the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association speaking to News 1st said that importing eggs would put the local industry at risk.

However, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to import eggs on Monday (2) evening.

In December 2022, as a solution to the high price of eggs, a special program was launched by the Government to sell eggs at the price of Rs. 55/ in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.

Eggs were sold for Rs. 55/- at the Fort Railway Station, Dematagoda, Slave Island, Dehiwala, Battaramulla, Nugegoda, Maharagama, Meegoda Economic Center, Narahenpita Economic Center, Torrington, and Homagama.

In addition, eggs were sold for Rs. 55/- in Wattala, Ja-Ela, Ragama, Negombo, Kiribathgoda, Kadawatha, and Peliyagoda.

This was a joint program by the Sri Lankan government and the Egg Producers Association.