‘Increase local production to overcome price increases’

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

“The government cannot control price increases in the international market. So the only solution to overcome such price hikes is to increase local production to strengthen the local economy.

“As Sri Lanka is a welfare state, the government always tries to protect and promote the economic and social well being of it’s citizens,” said SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister Maithripala said at a media briefing, Thursday at the Mahaweli Centre that most people these days are talking about the price increases of some essential goods in the local market. As a government we are very much concerned on this matter. But we cannot control the price hikes of some imported items, such as, gas, milk powder, oil, medicine,etc.

He also said that the government requested milk powder companies not to increase prices.

But they said that they will have to stop importing milk, if the prices are not increased. So the government had to agree with them with a price control for infant formula. “As the Health Minister, I must say that we have to spend large amounts of money to import medicines.

Sri Lanka produces very small quantities of medicine. Sometimes, we have to spend millions of of rupees to treat of one person.

So the government has to manage all these circumstances for the betterment of the country.” he said.