29,000 MT of sugar seized by the state, stocks to be released at control prices

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka seized 29,000 MT of sugar that were concealed in warehouses on Wednesday (01), said the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Major General N. D. S. P. Niwunhella.

A statement from the Department of Government Information noted that the consignment of sugar will be released to the local market via state and private establishments under the control prices.

It added that the import duty of Rs. 50 per kilo of sugar was reduced to 25 cents from October 14, 2020, to provide relief to consumers and the amount of sugar available in the country at that time was 88,878 MT.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority, a total of 584,000 MT of sugar was imported between October 14, 2020, and June 30, 2021, while the monthly demand for sugar in the country is around 35,000 metric tons.

However, data from the Consumer Affairs Authority reveals that sugar imports have exceeded the annual sugar requirement and there was an attempt to create a shortage of sugar in the country and to sell sugar at a very high price, causing great inconvenience to the consumer.

With the country suffering a hard-hitting economic crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered emergency regulations to counter the hoarding of sugar, rice, and other essential foods.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared emergency regulations formulated as per section 5 on essential food supply, by enforcing directives under section ii of the Ordinance.

The authorized officers will be able to take steps to provide essential food items at a concessionary rate to the public by purchasing stocks of essential food items including paddy, rice, and sugar, at government-guaranteed prices or based on the Customs value on imported goods to prevent market irregularities which are causing inconvenience to consumers due to concealing of stocks of essential food items including paddy, rice and sugar and to prevent selling them at higher prices, said a statement.

The statement added that Major General N. D. S. P. Niwunhella was appointed as the Commissioner General of Essential Services to coordinate the supply of paddy, rice, sugar, and other consumer goods that are essential to maintain the livelihood of the people.