Colombo: In the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the price of rice has increased to “an irresistible level” in the island country, according to several consumers. The minimum price of one kilo of rice in the public market has now exceeded ₹ 200-240, the Colombo page reported.
The government has been forced to limit the import of some important commodities – including foods that have pushed essence prices such as milk powder and rice much higher.
Although the Ministry of Trade has stated that rice is being sold at a concession price by a wholesale network of Lanka Sathasa outlets, learned from several CWE outlets that import rice do not meet demand, according to the Colombo page.
Furthermore reported that the Sathosa outlet in many parts of the country was in a short supply of important consumer goods including rice, dry chili and other items.
Consumers demand the government take steps to reduce prices by importing rice or setting control prices.
Sri Lanka was struggling against a severe economic crisis, with food and scarcity of fuel which affected a large number of people in the island country. The economy has fallen free since the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic, which leads to the tourism sector accident.
Sri Lanka also faces deficiency of foreign exchange, which has, by chance, affects its capacity to import food and fuel. This country faces long power cuts.
The country also witnessed protests for the handling of the government from the worst economic crisis in decades. Yesterday, a protest was held outside the US Embassy in Colombo against the Sri Lanka government.