The rupee devaluation will cause spirals in a number of essential commodities beginning January next year, traders warned yesterday. The market was fully stocked with commodities like rice, flour, sugar, dhal and eggs, Old Moor Traders Association President K. Palaniandy told the Sunday Times. Members of the Association hold the virtual monopoly for the supply and distribution of a variety of essential food items.

The Sentencing Policy Bill which will give the judiciary guidelines on penalties is one of a string of new laws the government will introduce next year. According to Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, the new law will ensure uniformity in the sentences passed on those found guilty.