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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 06:36:00
22 January 2024 07:09 am - 54 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Jan 22 (Daily Mirror) - Commenting on the sky rocketing vegetable prices, the Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said if vegetables were imported, vegetables such as a kilo of carrot, beans and leeks can be supplied at Rs. 300 to Rs. 350.
“I informed the Secretary to the President to convene the Food Policy Committee and asked the Agriculture Ministry and other relevant institutions whether they can provide vegetables at a low rate. They have agreed at the Food Policy Committee to reduce vegetable prices within a month or one and half months. If vegetables were imported, we can provide a kilo of leeks, carrots and beans at Rs. 300 to Rs. 350,” he said.
He told reporters yesterday that the price of an imported egg was increased by Rs. 8 from today due to the increase in VAT and other taxes. An imported egg would be sold at Rs. 43 at all Sathosa outlets under the new price whereas it was previously sold at Rs. 35, he stated .
The Minister said the State Trading Corporation (STC) had imported eggs from India under new tenders after the VAT increase and considering the VAT hike, increase in other taxes and transport cost, prices of eggs were increased by Rs. 8.
“We observed for two weeks whether we can cater to the demand for eggs from local egg production. However, we observed that after the imported egg supply was stopped, egg prices in the market increased again up to Rs. 52 to 55. So, the State Trading Corporation decided to import eggs under new tenders to control the increase in prices,” he said.
The Minister said if the local suppliers were able to supply eggs at Rs. 43, the issue would be settled.
ANURA NANAYAKKARA Monday, 22 January 2024 07:18 AM
WHAT SORT OF MINISTER IS THIS TALKING ABOUT IMPORTING VEGETABLES FROM OVERSEAS.!! SHOWS THE QUALITY OF OUR MINISTERS.
Saman Monday, 22 January 2024 01:21 PM
Its better to import lunch packets and distribute in time for the elections . Since we do not have a Minister for Agriculture or Commerce or Marketing.
We feel sorry for Ranil! Friday, 26 January 2024 09:12 AM
We feel sorry for Ranil, who is surrounded by dud ministers with limited capacity to think positively. Is this the fate of this country?
We feel sorry for Ranil! Friday, 26 January 2024 09:12 AM
We feel sorry for Ranil, who is surrounded by dud ministers with limited capacity to think positively. Is this the fate of this country?
We feel sorry for Ranil! Friday, 26 January 2024 09:12 AM
We feel sorry for Ranil, who is surrounded by dud ministers with limited capacity to think positively. Is this the fate of this country?
We feel sorry for Ranil! Friday, 26 January 2024 09:12 AM
We feel sorry for Ranil, who is surrounded by dud ministers with limited capacity to think positively. Is this the fate of this country?
E Sarath Monday, 22 January 2024 07:20 AM
Who knows, could be an effort to fish in troubled water.
Smh Monday, 22 January 2024 07:21 AM
More imports. What happens to the local farmers? Why can't they be given the money used for imports to improve their farms with use of machinery and other technology to increase their production. Give farmers incentives. If everything from even an egg is imported the country is going to lose out in time to come. It's a big mistake. Don't do it.
Sangeetha Weeraratne Monday, 22 January 2024 07:21 AM
Cargills is buying vegetables from farmers at low prices and selling at high prices.
Hadam Monday, 22 January 2024 01:29 PM
That is why when we see something at a higher price we use the phrase "Oh its Cargills price".
Sivalingam Monday, 22 January 2024 07:25 AM
This leech of Diyawannawa will need a good place to hide after elections.
Amaran Monday, 22 January 2024 07:26 AM
RUIN THE COUNTRY BY IMPORTING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Instead of promoting LOCAL INDUSTRY, you all pursuing the strategy of IMPORTING EVERYTHING and wasting foreign exchange reserve.
ravin Monday, 22 January 2024 07:29 AM
Oh i see. upfront tell us your commission percentage? Everyone know where you are heading for. All countries are having quarantine and protection laws.
Local producers all mafia, not competitive at all Monday, 22 January 2024 07:45 AM
Farming culture in this country is making this agriculture subsidy country, which is another hellish burden to the public. Allowing for unrestricted imports of vegetables and rice will improve the public's ability to buy food at affordable prices.
Nodaking Monday, 22 January 2024 07:50 AM
Lets import everything from carrots to gotukolla. That where the corrupt politicians can make money.
Marthava is become curse, Monday, 22 January 2024 07:53 AM
Blocking to import basic grocery is what causes prices to go up here. Agriculture here is not sustainable, any scientist would show that. Climate here worsen because of local farmer and producers.
ANTON Monday, 22 January 2024 08:03 AM
HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAID FOR A SHIPMENT.
Citizens Monday, 22 January 2024 08:10 AM
Yes yes we remember the story with eggs and now there seems to be no difference in price between imported eggs and local eggs! Stop treating people like preschool children!! All you ministers have no brain, its just an empty hole up there!
Andare Monday, 22 January 2024 08:15 AM
But no one can and ever match APPOCHI.
Sambo Monday, 22 January 2024 08:19 AM
We don't wanted imported vegetables. It's a mafia that's keeping the prices so high. Your only solution is import.
Citizen Simon Monday, 22 January 2024 08:26 AM
This rotten minister who is alleged to have raked in millions of ill-gotten wealth through commissions and other questionable practices is a curse to the agrarian society and the farmers in the country. Now he wants to import vegetables from India.
Jayantha Monday, 22 January 2024 08:29 AM
This guy seems to be making huge income indindirectly from imports. Time tl investigate if he is behind the price hikes so that he can enjoy from imports.
Ram Monday, 22 January 2024 08:34 AM
Politicians do the ground work for prices to escalate, then suggest if imported they will be very cheap. This is a ruse adopted to import stuff and pocket the commissions
Ron Monday, 22 January 2024 08:35 AM
We need solid accountability specialy in the food sector vegetables fruits other basic essential food items must be controlled with strict firm procedures from farmers wholesale to retailers you find toomany in the middle making big money In sectors categorys that have impact on essentials food must be moniterd accordingly with price protection its the government responsibility to have a macanisam to prevent such unexpectable behavior that cause major issues in food and beverage sectors the public the business all are effected with this kind of behavior whithout any solutions and the solutions must be made in advance that's good govern......
Be Fair Monday, 22 January 2024 08:36 AM
Proactive Minister indeed. You need to make every effort to make something out of nothing
Jude Monday, 22 January 2024 08:45 AM
When you imports, we're gonna spend our percious forex, moreover it's gonna effect the farmers!!! But it's good for The minister to earn More money by way of commission yeah!! Everyone gonna lose but the minister!!
joshua Monday, 22 January 2024 08:49 AM
What a economist
Carrot Mudalali Monday, 22 January 2024 08:58 AM
I suppose Nalin paddaya you have your badda Modayas lined up to import the vegetables and give you a kickback in return?
API KOHETADA Monday, 22 January 2024 09:02 AM
GON BOORUWEK ☺
Fred Monday, 22 January 2024 09:05 AM
Sri Lanka has some of the most fertile soils in the world, educated people, tradition of farming.Why on earth are you talking of importing food when the solution is to grow more.
Nimal Monday, 22 January 2024 09:10 AM
Another fairy tale from a guy who does not know what he is talking about. Was he at least able to deliver eggs to the people at a reasonable price and without shortages?
Bushel Monday, 22 January 2024 09:18 AM
Can be imported and get commission oer kilo rate. That's how tge prices shot up
Waco Monday, 22 January 2024 09:22 AM
Looking for commission. Ruine the Sri Lankan Farmers. Close the diverted Mahavali river. People were settled in those areas May have to beg on the road. Idiotic minister.
Patriot Monday, 22 January 2024 09:22 AM
Carrot bean and leaks are available for Rs.350 to 400 per kg in Dematagoda, Kolonnawa. May be coming from closing cultivating places with less transport cost. Who says it is 1500, 2000 per kg.unwantedly to run down the Govt.
Raj Nadaraja Monday, 22 January 2024 09:36 AM
Why not import set of ministers with brains to develop our own resources ???
M H M Monday, 22 January 2024 12:39 PM
Or export the stupid Sri Lankan voters
Bandu Monday, 22 January 2024 09:56 AM
This how the politicos cover their mismanagement by easy way to import using the dollars and keeping people happy without thinking ahead how to manage domestic economy. Net result no dollars for importing basic needs like medicines and fertilizer.
DD Monday, 22 January 2024 10:49 AM
Is importing the solution for all the problems? Why cant we find a solution and locally produce and bring the proce down. If imported and if the local production is high then the agriculture will suffer and then unemployment will increase and then QE give Aswesuma Samurdhi to people to stay at home, and we stop local production like all the any other items and then rely 100% on imports, this is not a solution its stop gap solution which will enable only for local production to stop and creat unemployment. If this is the way qe can turn around the country let's face it for the betterment of the future generation, rather than importing as a solution. The masses did not ask for imported veges.
Gamaya Monday, 22 January 2024 11:02 AM
Find out the root cause of the high production prices before trying to import everything. Address that and then you will see how everything will level out. This is the same reason that our other industries are looking beyond our borders and closing factories in Sri Lanka. If you do another blunder like the fertilizer blunder then god bless Sri Lanka and bye bye foreign reserves
Joshua Monday, 22 January 2024 01:57 PM
One needs a brain to study the root cause. These fellows have no brain
A citizen almost a vegetable Monday, 22 January 2024 11:50 AM
Has the Minister factored the Commission he gets from vegetable importers too into these prices?
Rud Monday, 22 January 2024 12:01 PM
We can't find solution in local produce due to scam bribes corruption by top end its a crime millions and millions suffer due to lack in proper super vision law
M H M Monday, 22 January 2024 12:38 PM
We should first import some knowledgeable politicians and I’m sure the real cost of them is less than 10% of how much you guys cost
Amaradasa Wijenayake Monday, 22 January 2024 01:54 PM
The comments from the population speaks for itself. See our pilot project in Mannar, done by holiday volunteers from overseas. Do not import grow your own.
Umar Perera Monday, 22 January 2024 02:15 PM
What about all the other vegetables that we grow? Why are we so worried about these three only?
RanjithT Monday, 22 January 2024 02:17 PM
This country can run better if we import ministers. We can export ministers with unused brains.
J. Henry de Mel Monday, 22 January 2024 07:14 PM
Can you import some efficient MPs or a clean government from India or elsewhere
Raj soma Monday, 22 January 2024 07:55 PM
Public needs to understand , when you import anything , the ministers get their Commissions . I feel still all these ministers haven't learnt there lessons from Aragalaya.. Please stop growing Flower plants in your Pots, grow Veggies is simple as that. SL is a farming country, The ministers have made it an importing country by not providing the necessary fertilizers to the farmers and discouraging them to do so.
SSZKHAN Monday, 22 January 2024 08:54 PM
Minister how much commission uou intend to make
waste Tuesday, 23 January 2024 12:10 PM
do you have excessive USD don't try to import all iterm by using USD please encourage local people to cultivate more as to meet needs
Pickj Tuesday, 23 January 2024 02:55 PM
We can import better politians also???
Ranil Friday, 26 January 2024 09:52 PM
@Pickj, We don't need politicians. A better set of buffaloes idling in our fields will do a better job.
Rishan Tuesday, 23 January 2024 04:12 PM
Pls don't import vegetables and fruits... fruit flies may destroy our nature... our farmers can produce enough vegetables and fruits for our consumption... this is a green country with considerable amount of rain....
Hey, no problem with imports Wednesday, 24 January 2024 03:34 PM
Lot of middleman and other mafia unhappy if imports happen, because they will not be able to charge high prices like they do now. Only imports unrestricted can bring down price of milk powder, eggs, rice and now fruit and vegetables also.
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