| Extra stocks of vegetables will be brought in from Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya to help offset the high retail prices seen in the Colombo market over the past two weeks.
The decision was made when the Cabinet Sub-committee on the Cost of Living met last Monday to discuss big differences noted between wholesale and retail prices.
Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando said the extra stocks will be sold at controlled prices at economic centres in Colombo.
Monday’s cost-of-living meeting was held in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, and 15 other Ministers. The price levels of other foodstuffs and the need to boost rice cultivation to forestall possible rice shortages were also discussed. Minister Fernando said the President had called for a report on the status of the country’s paddy cultivation to be ready at the next committee meeting, in May.
“The President said imports will be necessary if there was a possibility of rice shortages,” Minister Fernando said. |
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