Govt moves to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential food items

Colombo, March 24 (Daily Mirror) - Importers of essential food items and institutions involved in the food distribution network were summoned to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development yesterday (23) to discuss measures to maintain uninterrupted supply and minimize possible disruptions due to the prevailing war situation.

The discussion was chaired by Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe with the participation of Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardena, Ministry Secretary K.A. Wimalenthirarajah, Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon, Cooperative Wholesale Trading Corporation Chairman Kosala Wilbawa, Lanka Sathosa and State Commercial Miscellaneous Corporation Chairman Ravindra Fernando, officials from the Presidential Secretariat Food Security Committee, representatives of the Finance Ministry and Sri Lanka Customs, and Additional Secretary Gilma Dahanayake.

During the meeting, the Minister stressed the need to implement a strong supply and distribution network for essential food items to ensure the public does not face shortages under the current global conditions. He said the government is taking steps to maintain stable prices in the local market and to reduce the burden on the public.

To prevent delays in distribution due to fuel quota restrictions, the Minister said an essential service vehicle registration system has been introduced to allow uninterrupted transport of goods. He also requested importers to ensure a continuous supply of essential items to Lanka Sathosa outlets, which are widely used by low-income consumers.

The Minister further stated that the matters discussed at the meeting would be submitted to the Cabinet for further decisions and that the situation would be closely monitored, with another review discussion expected later this week.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority has begun publishing a weekly price range for essential food items, and importers were advised to maintain prices in line with the announced range.