Essentials aplenty- Minister

Hiran H. Senewiratne

The country has sufficient essential food items especially rice and the market is being supplied without any shortage.

The Government has released more than 50,000 tones of rice to the market, Trade, Marketing Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

“Certain media reported that there is a shortage of essential food items which is totally false. Certain private sector entities are concealing essential food items to create an artificial shortage to make the the Government uncomfortable,”

Minister Gunawardena said at a media conference along with the Essential Food Importers and Distribution Association members.

He said the Government has now actively involved in this issue to prevent any shortage of essential food items. However, there is a short supply of food items not because of the Government’s tax policies nor the tax relief but due to the global food crisis in certain countries.

The Minister said all rice varieties other than samba is available without shortage. But the Government has requested the Indian Government to release samba rice for the Government to purchase as India has been imposed an export ban on food due to the rice shortage and the increase in food prices in India.

Minister Gunawardena said from November 10 the Government provided a tax relief on certain imports to control the cost of living in the country. Therefore, the wholesale market has sufficient essential food items to supply to the consumer market. He said the Vote on Account also provided considerable relief to people by reducing taxes in certain essential food items. The Government always imposes taxes balancing both the local farmers’ and consumers’ interest.

The Minister gave an assurance that there will be no rice shortage in the country. However there is a small issue where local rice cultivation dropped due to the drought conditions and the world food crisis. Other consumer items such as red onions and big onions, potatoes, dhal, dry chillies and other items are sold at a reasonable price.

Minister Gunawardena warned that any person found guilty of concealing stocks, selling at a higher price or anything leading to a shortage in the market can be severely punished under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.

The Minister also said all Sathosa outlets including Co-op City and Mini Co-op City outlets have ample stocks but there is a problem in supplying to the market due to a centralized storing and transport system. To avoid this, the Government is constructing stores in Viravila and Kurunegala shortly.

Essential Food Importers and Distribution Association President S.P. Samy said there is no shortage of essential food items in the wholesale market and they are selling to traders at a standard price.