As the Sinhala and Hindu new year season loomed closer, top Ministers in charge of economy and trade jointly stepped out to the marketplace yesterday, quelled consumer market fears and debunked speculations of any looming shortages. They also promptly re-assured the Lankan consumers of uninterrupted food, commodity and essential supplies during the forthcoming New Year season.
“Rice stocks have increased and sufficient stocks are now available in the market for the next two months,” said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at then Pettah market, Colombo yesterday. Bathiudeen was speaking to the press after his inspection tour of retail and wholesale distributors of Colombo wholesale market epicentre at 5th Cross Street, Pettah , joined by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake.
“We find that there are more than enough supplies of all essential items,” said Minister Bathiudeen and added: “Rice stocks have increased and sufficient stocks are now available in the market for the next two months. In fact, rice is sold less than government’s MRPs in this open market. Here we found a kilo of Nadu at Rs 68 and white rice at Rs 60 at wholesale prices. We can assure that there will be no shortages. There are attempts by some errant traders and market manipulators to cash in on season’s demand. They are spreading false rumours of shortages, to hike prices during the season. They are errant and legal action will be taken against such violators, if detected.”
“We are here on the instructions of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. As you can see, there are no shortages. The stories of shortages are rumours and are spread by unscrupulous elements,” said Minister Karunanayake.
Spokesman of EFCITA Hemaka Fernando said that unscrupulous elements are trying to cash in on the season by creating artificial shortages, which is illegal. “What Minister Bathiudeen just said is correct-in that there are stocks of all essential items lasting more than two months in the country. Also wholesale prices are much lower. For example, we expect sugar prices to increase as the season gets closer, but this year, sugar prices are falling. A kilo of sugar which was at Rs 103 last week today only sells at Rs 98.”
Speaking of the health quality of imported rice, Fernando asked how it could be so and alleged certain elements and some local millers behind this.
“Some rice millers have created fear about imported rice saying its harmful which is false. Every grain of rice commercially imported to Sri Lanka is inspected closely by Customs, along with phytosanitary and fumigation certifications. Only imported rice entering our market has such strong certifications. How can such rice be harmful to health?”
The items identified by the government as “essential” are chicken meat, red dhall, designated rice types, spratts, chickpeas, green grams, canned fish, white flour, white sugar, full cream milk powder, B onions, potatoes, dried chillies, dried fish, Maldive fish and Sustagen.