Government removes control price on Sugar
COLOMBO – The government on Wednesday (3) removed the maximum retail prices imposed on sugar, as shortages were reported from across the country with most supermarkets and grocery stores limiting sales to one kilogram per person.
State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development, and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, announcing the government decision said importers had agreed to sell a kilogram of sugar for Rs 150/- and to reduce prices when global market prices drop.
Acknowledging shortages of sugar and cement had been reported from across the country, Alagiyawanna said the decision to remove the price control on sugar was take on Tuesday (2) during discussions with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
He said Rajapaksa, during discussions with importers had agreed to lift the control price imposed on sugar as freight costs had increased and traders were not willing to sell at the specified prices, leading to a countrywide shortage.
The government in September imposed a maximum retail price on sugar and rice, fixing the price at Rs 122 a kilogram of white sugar and Rs 125 for brown sugar sold in bulk, and Rs 125 and 128, for a kilogram sold in packs.
-ENCL