No Essential Goods Shortage During Festive Season: Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe

COLOMBO(News 1st): Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Corperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe said that measures are being taken to provide essential goods to the public without any shortage during the upcoming festive season.

The Minister said that necessary steps have already been taken to prevent a shortage of goods within the country.

He said that there has been a price increase in bread and other bakery products,rise in milk powder prices, and a slight increase in the prices of other imported goods as well. He noted that the government is actively intervening in the market by purchasing products from farmers and releasing it into the market to maintain a balance. He added that the Food Security Committee has been convened in Parliament, through which efforts are being made via Sathosa and other markets across the country to establish a program that ensures consumers can obtain necessary items without any shortages.

The Minister also said that the prices of imported goods are rising to some extent.

He stated that certain countries are restricting their imports and exports in various ways, in a way that impacts Sri Lanka as well. However, necessary measures have already been implemented to prevent goods shortage in the country. He explained that discussions are ongoing with institutions including the Lanka Salu Sala and Lanka Sathosa (CSTC), cooperative societies, the Pettah Importers' Association, and other manufacturers to make the required interventions, so that goods remain available without shortages for the upcoming season. He acknowledged that some price fluctuations could occur due to global factors not unique to Sri Lanka, but assured that the government is intervening to create market stability by negotiating with importers and manufacturers to minimize the burden on the public.