The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) says it has approved the request of the Ceylon Electricity Board for emergency power purchase subject to the conditions given by the PUCSL.
Considering the existing fuel shortage of the country and electrical energy capacity shortage of the CEB, coupled up with the long term forced outage of all thermal power plants at Kelanithissa, Sapugaskanda and Kerawalapitiya.
This was due to no fuel with severe depletion of water resources in reservoirs that led to experience more than 7 hours daily power cut to the electricity consumers, the cabinet has declared an “emergency situation’ in the energy sector as required under section 43(4) (c ) (ii) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act in keeping with the directive of the President have made on 02nd March 2022.
With that CEB has requested the approval of 93 MW of capacity under short term power purchase agreement from ACE Power (Embilipitiya) power plant for 6 months in order to reduce the long hours of power interruptions immediately.
“We approved the request given the priority of the fuel supply to CEB power plants,” the Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake said.
“In the same time, we empathized having a steady long-term plan to ensure continues supply of electricity to Sri Lanka. We have approved 600 MW of LNG power plant already in supporting that.”
The head of the country’s electricity sector regulator stated that adequate supply of fuel to power plants could immediately resolve the rolling power outages in the country that has caused 200–400 MW loss to the national grid.
“Lack of funds to buy enough fuel to fire power plants is the main reason for continues power interruptions in large parts of the grid in Sri Lanka. We also have run down hydro reservoirs and the hydro storage were used excessively in the months of December last year and January this year to provide electricity,”
“The CEB forced to shut down 350 MW of Thermal power plants for past two weeks due to lack of fuel supply. We have generated 76 percent electricity from thermal power plants 19 percent electricity from hydro and 5 percent electricity from renewable for this month so far.
Hydro generation has increased to 22 percent during the month of February this year due to unavailability of fuel for thermal generation plants which stood at 18 percent in the same month last year,” he said.
“Apart for the lack of fuel supply, we also have a technical constraint in the Southern grid where we have advised the Ceylon Electricity Board to find immediate solutions way back in 2017 which has not been materialized yet,” he added.
The currency crunch that the country is facing at the moment has delayed the imports of fuel, which has led to power cuts island-wide, says Mr Ratnayake.
“We currently are in the forex crisis where we do not have sufficient funds to buy fuel. We can end this power cut if we get sufficient fuel stocks to operate our power plants,” Mr Ratnayake said, adding the PUCSL is also aware of the financial issue that the Ceylon Electricity Board is going through.
“We are aware. We have asked electricity consumers to pay their bills on time to reduce the financial burden for the CEB to a certain extent. But the issue is bigger.
The electricity generation cost has increased 120 percent from the last tariff hike. The generation cost per electricity unit is at the moment is 37 rupees. But we are providing the electricity unit at a cost of 16 -17 rupees on average, which not reflects the right generation cost.
Also, the price of a crude oil barrel in the world market has increased to 113 dollars this year. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka also had taken a decision to float the rupee given the current economic conditions which have caused a higher market volatility at present.
All these reasons have a much larger impact on the generation cost of electricity. We believe in a cost reflective tariff to strengthen the CEB and the economy of the country while not burdening the electricity consumers,” Mr Ratnayake said.
Commenting on the Southern grid issue, the Chairman of PUCSL said that CEB was instructed to find long term solutions for the issue where 100-150 MW of capacity is being lacking at present.
Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union held it’s 30th Delegate Conference followed by the 40th anniversary on 13th February 2022.
The Delegate conference was attended by the delegates who were elected by the branch union membership meetings and the delegates conference elected new leadership including the executive committee of the union for the next 02 years. We are proud to inform you 40% of the Executive Committee members are females which includes the President, Two Vice Presidents and the Assistant Treasurer. All these female executive members are factory employees. The delegate conference discussed the present challenges under the economic, social and political crisis prevailing in Sri Lanka and adopted the resolutions; the translated version is attached for your information.
The 40th Anniversary was commemorated with cultural and other events including International and local solidarity greetings which were translated into the local languages. The trade union representatives who are members of the National Labour Advisory council also participated and addressed the gathering with their solidarity messages.
On this day a book was launched about the Union’s journey (history) of 40 years written by the famous Sri Lankan journalist Mr. Kusal Perera.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued a special gazette notification imposing rules on the importation of export earnings to Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, foreign exchange earnings from all export goods and services are required to be remitted to Sri Lanka within 180 days of shipment or service.
The money must be converted into Sri Lankan Rupees by the 7th of next month, after the authorized payment has been made.
The Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa has been accused of money laundering in the United States, said Wimal Weerawansa in an interview with Sirasa TV on the 10th.
Dr. Mahinda Pathirana, a theorist of the SLPP and also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Press Council, has responded to Wimal Weerawansa’s statement.
COLOMBO, March 11 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka will begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next month on a plan to help the crisis-hit country, where a foreign exchange shortage has squeezed essential imports amid looming debt payments, three sources said on Friday.
Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis in years. With foreign exchange reserves standing at a paltry $2.31 billion, the country is struggling to pay for critical imports including fuel, food and medicines. read more
The move to approach the IMF for help comes after months of resistance from Sri Lanka’s government and central bank, despite calls from opposition leaders and experts to seek a bailout package.
Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will travel to Washington in mid-April to present Sri Lanka’s proposal to senior IMF officials, two sources with knowledge of the ongoing discussions told Reuters.
“We are taking our proposal and a plan,” one of the sources said, declining to be named since the discussions are confidential. “The government is serious about fixing things.”
In a tweet late on Friday, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the aim of the upcoming talks with the IMF was not restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt.
“Meetings of Sri Lankan authorities with @IMFNews officials over the next few weeks are NOT for the purpose of #debt restructuring,” he said.
Through repeated cycles of borrowing since 2007, Sri Lanka had piled up $12.55 billion worth of debt through international sovereign bonds (ISB), which make up the largest part of its external debt. read more
The island nation has to repay about $4 billion in foreign debt this year, including a $1 billion ISB maturing in July.
“We will discuss options based on our plans,” the source said.
Sri Lanka’s finance ministry and the IMF did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.
‘TOUGH SITUATION’
A combination of historically weak government finances, badly timed tax cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the country’s lucrative tourism industry and foreign remittances, have wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka’s economy. read more
In a periodic review last week, the IMF called on the government to implement a “credible and coherent” strategy to repay debt and restore macroeconomic stability. read more
“The country faces mounting challenges, including public debt that has risen to unsustainable levels, low international reserves, and persistently large financing needs in the coming years,” the IMF said.
To find a way out of the crisis, the government will seek assistance with debt restructuring, the foreign exchange crisis, bolstering revenue generation and reforming state-owned enterprises, the source said.
“This is a tough situation,” the source said, “We want to see what support we can get from the IMF.”
In recent weeks, the country of 22 million has faced rolling electricity cuts. Bakeries have run out of gas and many fuel pumps have run dry. Soaring oil prices have added to the government’s woes. read more
Late on Monday, the central bank implemented a flexible exchange rate for the rupee, triggering a devaluation of about 30% and driving up the prices of many essential items.
RegisterReporting by Uditha Jayasinghe in Colombo and Devjyot Ghoshal in New Delhi Editing by Toby Chopra, Hugh Lawson and Frances Kerry
Floating in tropical waters off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture, friendly people and laid-back way of life, despite its troubled recent history. A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to having an easy trip to this Indian Ocean island.For such a small nation, Sri Lanka is hugely diverse. Sand-sprinkled beaches rise to forested national parks, temple-studded plains, and jungle-covered highlands, with the added perk that nowhere is that far from the beach.
Most visitors start on the coast and duck inland to tea gardens, ancient cities and national parks, but navigating Sri Lanka’s frenetic public transport system and cultural sensitivities can be confusing for new arrivals. To help you out, here are some of the things you need to know before traveling to Sri Lanka.
Planning your trip to Sri Lanka
Getting ready for a trip to Sri Lanka begins before you leave home. As a first step, check the latest visa requirements for Sri Lanka.
Check the health rules
Sri Lanka imposed strict public health measures during the Covid pandemic, so check the latest health rules before you travel. At the time of writing, travelers needed proof of a negative Covid test result (not required for the under 12s), plus mandatory COVID insurance (US$12 per person) and a completed health declaration form.
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Get your travel vaccinations before you travel to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tropical destination, so check with your doctor to make sure you’re up to date with your travel vaccinations. Recommended vaccinations for Sri Lanka include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Long stayers might also consider getting vaccinated against typhoid and rabies (although rare, rabies can be fatal, and it’s carried by dogs, cats and monkeys in Sri Lanka).
Plan your trip according to the monsoons
Between May and September, the south coast and west coast of Sri Lanka are lashed by the southwest monsoon, which brings plenty of rainfall and choppy seas, while northern and eastern parts of the island are fine and dry. When the northeast monsoon hits Sri Lanka between November and March, the south and west are at their best, and it’s the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka that see the showers.
In fact, monsoon rainfall in Sri Lanka is quite sporadic – expect short, sharp downpours interspersed with long, hot sunny spells. Traveling to different parts of Sri Lanka during their rainy ‘off-seasons’ has its rewards – visitor numbers fall and hotel rates drop quite significantly.
Sri Lanka has a huge number of bank holidays, and almost half of these are poya days, marking the arrival of the full moon, an auspicious event in Sri Lankan Buddhism. All poya days are dry days – alcohol is not sold in shops, restaurants or bars (though you can still access your hotel room’s minibar). The ban on alcohol also extends to other religious events such as the Buddhist festival of Vesak in May.
Understanding money in Sri Lanka
Stock up on rupees on arrival in Sri Lanka, not before, and don’t change more than you need. Sri Lankan rupees are hard to exchange outside of Sri Lanka. ATMs are widespread all over the country – stick to Bank of Ceylon ATMs where possible as they don’t charge a fee. Card machines are common in larger hotels, restaurants and tourist-oriented shops.
Try to build up a stash of lower denomination notes wherever possible (for example, withdraw LKR5900 rather than LKR6000). You’ll need small bills to pay for tuk-tuks and buy things from local shops and markets and for tipping. Carrying some cash in dollars, euros or pounds sterling is also useful – all are widely accepted in tourist areas.
Be realistic about how much ground you can cover
It takes a surprising amount of time to travel around Sri Lanka thanks to winding routes and the limited number of roads crossing the interior of the island. Traffic also has to navigate a variety of hazards including badly surfaced roads and roaming wildlife (buffaloes, cows, feral dogs and even elephants). To do the island justice, don’t rush. You’ll need at least a month for a circuit of the island with detours to national parks, ancient cities and tea plantations inland.
Thanks to Sri Lanka’s improving expressway network, road travel from Colombo to southern towns such as Galle,Matara and Tangalla is fairly rapid. With its twisting, congested roads, the Hill Country is the most time-consuming region to navigate (consider taking trains to explore instead).
Pack the right gear for Sri Lanka’s hills and religious sites
Sri Lanka’s mountains reach elevations of over 2000m (6560ft) and temperatures are lower in the highlands than on the coast. Pack a light jumper for cooler nights and early morning starts (particularly between December and March). Also bring a sarong – you can use it as a beach blanket or towel, as a shawl or skirt to cover your shoulders or knees when visiting temples, and as a warm layer when traveling on air-conditioned buses or for pre-dawn safari jeep drives.
Plan ahead for the hill country trains
Sri Lanka Railways runs the nation’s trains, including services on the spectacular Main Line, which slices east from Colombo through the island’s highest mountains, cloud forests and tea estates. It’s a stunning journey and hugely popular with tourists and locals alike, particularly the section between Kandy and Ella.
Book tickets in air-conditioned first-class or fan-cooled second class well ahead to guarantee a seat, either in person at stations or online via booking sights such as 12GoAsia. Tickets are released 10 days prior and sell out quickly.
You’ll get more from a trip to Sri Lanka if you learn a little about local etiquette.
Dress appropriately, with respect for Sri Lankan traditions
Despite the island’s well-developed tourist industry, many Sri Lankans are socially conservative and deeply religious. Swimwear is fine for the beach, but not when wandering about town. Going nude or topless is not permitted on any Sri Lankan beaches.
Avoid clothing that shows the legs or upper arms and shoulders when making trips to religious sites. Public displays of affection are also frowned on, as is loud or brash behavior, and losing your temper in public (keep this in mind when haggling – this should never be an angry process).
Show respect to Buddha images
Sri Lankan Buddhists take depictions of the Buddha very seriously and these should always be treated with respect. People have been deported from Sri Lanka for displaying ‘disrespectful’ Buddha images so avoid wearing clothing with Buddha images and if you have tattoos of Buddhist iconography, keep these covered. The same rules apply to statues – posing for selfies with a Buddha statue is a definite no-no, as is turning your back towards a Buddha image.
Be considerate when taking photographs
When photographing people, always ask for permission first. Note that if you photograph the famous stilt fishermen at Koggala, you may be asked for payment (genuine stilt fishermen are a rare breed nowadays). Flash photography isn’t allowed in temples (nor in the vicinity of military sites) and taking photos may be banned entirely at some Hindu sites. If you are photographing temples, be careful not to stand with your back towards a Buddha statue while you are snapping.
Use your right hand to eat
Traditionally, Sri Lankans eat with their right hand, using the tips of their fingers to mix rice and curry into little balls, and their thumb to gently push the food into their mouths. You may be encouraged to try this if you are invited into a local home for a meal, but always wash your hands first for hygiene reasons. Avoid eating (or shaking hands) with your left hand as it is used for less sanitary tasks such as personal ablutions.
Dress respectfully when visiting temples
Remove your shoes and headgear before entering any Buddhist or Hindu temple or mosque, even if the site is a historic ruin. Socks are allowed (and you’ll need them on scorching hot sunny days). You’ll also need to cover your shoulders and legs as a mark of respect.
Tourists are less common in Jaffna and the north where a distinct Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu culture predominates. Respect local etiquette when visiting Hindu temples – ask for permission before entering as non-Hindus are barred from entering some shrines. Some temples also require men to remove shirts and enter bare-chested (for example, Jaffna’s vast Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil).
Tipping is a way of life in Sri Lanka and many restaurant workers rely on the extra income this practice brings. Most larger hotels and restaurants add a 10% tip as standard; use this as a guide for how much to tip in places that don’t.
Safety in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is by and large a safe destination, but the island does have a history of political unrest, terrorism and natural disasters.
Stay safe from crime in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries in Asia when it comes to petty crime. Violence against tourists is very rare, and theft and robberies are uncommon, though they do happen occasionally. As a precaution, wear a money belt and use your hotel safe.
Female travelers should heed the usual precaution; avoid traveling alone at night, particularly on public transport, and take care walking alone on empty beaches. Given Sri Lanka’s conservative culture, long sleeves and dresses are culturally appropriate and will reduce the chance of being harassed.
Avoid the tap water!
Sri Lanka’s tap water could theoretically be used for brushing your teeth but we don’t recommend it, and it’s certainly not safe for drinking. Bottled water is plentiful and better hotels provide clean drinking water for guests. If you do buy bottled water, check that the seal is intact and look for the Sri Lanka standards certification mark. Always dispose of empty bottles responsibility – filling your own drinking water bottle from a large bottle is better than buying lots of small plastic bottles.
Protect yourself against mosquitoes
Mosquito bites are one of the biggest health concerns in Sri Lanka. Although malaria has been eliminated, mosquitoes can carry debilitating dengue fever, a painful illness that can have serious side effects. No vaccinations are available for dengue and treatment can only reduce symptoms. Protect yourself by covering up at dawn and dusk, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing strong repellent containing high levels of DEET (diethyltoluamide).
Beware of scams and pickpockets
Scammers are active in Galle Fort, Kandy and Colombo’s Galle Face Green, looking for tourists to cheat or charm out of money. Never buy gems hawked on the street – they will almost certainly be convincing fakes made from colored glass – and be dubious of any shop trying to sell you gems to ‘sell at a profit back home’. Seek out information from official tourist offices and directly from operators, rather than trusting middlemen, particularly if they seek you out first.
Keep your money and valuables out of sight when on busy trains and buses, and when exploring crowded areas streets such as Colombo’s Pettah market district. Tuk-tuks have a habit of overcharging tourists – ask drivers to use the meter (and take another tuk-tuk if they refuse), or order a ride via Uber or local app, PickMe.
Give wildlife space
In 2019, a British journalist died after being snatched by a crocodile at a lagoon near Arugam Bay – such attacks are rare but they happen so be vigilant in rivers and lagoons. Dangerous sharks are not a problem in Sri Lanka, but poisonous snakes are found in waterlogged areas on land such as paddy fields.
Keep a keen lookout for elephants on roads leading to national parks or when walking or driving in the hills. If you see one, keep your distance and be ready to back away. Never feed a wild elephant – this habituates elephants to associate humans with food and act aggressively.
Never underestimate the ocean
Sri Lanka’s beaches may be idyllic but there are few lifeguards and strong currents are a danger (particularly during the monsoon seasons). Many beaches shelve steeply and drowning is the second most common cause of death among tourists after road accidents. Seek local advice before swimming in unfamiliar water.
Traffic is of the biggest dangers facing visitors to Sri Lanka. Accidents involving motorcycles and lorries are common, and bus collisions – often involving pedestrians – are also a problem. Common causes of accidents include dangerous overtaking, overloading, and pulling in suddenly to pick up passengers on the roadside.
Private bus company drivers tend to drive more recklessly than their government-run, SLTB counterparts. Don’t expect vehicles to stop at pedestrian crossings and keep your wits about you when walking beside any roads (sidewalks are rare in Sri Lanka).
Be aware of the risks of natural disasters
Sri Lanka was one of the countries worst affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which swept away more than 35,000 people and devastated many coastal areas. Following the disaster, early warning systems have been put in place in major towns and resorts, but not in rural, isolated areas, so be alert to signs of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The most common natural disaster in Sri Lanka is localized flooding during the southwest and northeast monsoons, which can cause landslides in highland areas. Sri Lanka is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones and periods of drought. For up-to-date weather warnings and situation reports, bookmark the country’s Disaster Management Center website.
It is reported that a new medical trade union will be formed with the aim of protecting the ethics and rights of the medical profession.
Sources said that the new Medical Association is being formed to oppose the attempts of one medical union in the country to dominate the entire medical service and to manipulate one political party and to plunge the entire country into illusion through that political power.
It is no secret that the work of one medical association to promote various myths – myths about medicine and myths about food, which are completely contrary to medical ethics, has caused serious harm to the health system of the country as a whole.
It is a well-known fact that as a trade union affiliated to one political party, they are constantly active in satisfying their political aspirations instead of intervening to address the issues affecting physicians, shortages in hospitals, and difficulties in providing services to patients, and being proactive in providing better health care to the people of the country.
Accordingly, it is reported that this new Medical Association is to take action against these conditions by discussing the real problems of the country’s health service and finding solutions to them, and to openly discuss the real problems of the doctors, and to protect the professional rights of the doctors.
It was reported that the new union will represent all three categories of doctors, medical administrators and specialists.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal has stated that the Government of Sri Lanka will hold discussions with representatives of the International Monetary Fund in the coming weeks regarding the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debt.
He said in a Tweet that some reports that the talks were being held in connection with the debt restructuring were false.
Meetings of Sri Lankan authorities with @IMFNews officials over the next few weeks are NOT for the purpose of #debt restructuring as stated by some news agencies. @CBSL#SriLanka#GoSL
Cash strapped Sri Lanka is now exploring the possibility of negotiating the US$ 480 Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact which was discontinued by the MCC board of directors on December 15 2020 following the opposition of SL ruling party hard core members.
Frontline envoy of MCC will be visiting Sri Lanka to restart negotiations and future arrangements to resume activities relating to the proposed MCC, a reliable official source closely connected to attract this investment said.
However there was no official confirmation from the Government or the US embassy in Sri Lanka due to difficulty in contacting relevant officials during the weekend.
There is renewed interest for the government to reopen the country for donor agencies following the sacking of two firebrand ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udya Gammanpila strong opponents of the United States, informed sources said.
Finance Minister Basil Rajapksa recently highlighted at an official meeting that both local and foreign sources of revenue have been blocked, owing to the intermittent closure of the country due to Covid 19 and internal pressure of hardliners in the government.
He said that the country must be reopened as soon as possible to reactivate all modes of foreign exchange inflows into the country.
It has been revealed that the government was willing to work with MCC to satisfy its concerns.He recognised that there was no way to reduce the duration of the impact assessment process.
He explained that radical policy changes would not be possible, but were not necessary in order to ensure strong economic benefits from the programs.
Instead, existing laws allowed sufficient flexibility for new agricultural practices to be pursued, the Finance Minister said, adding that operations and maintenance expenses for projects that produced high returns would definitely be covered in order to ensure that the returns endured.
A mutual decision is essential to proceed with MCC compact development and the MCC team’s frank description of its minimum economic, environmental, and social requirements was important, a senior official said.
While the government would have liked to get started with MCC projects sooner, it now has decided to take a slower but more ambitious course.
The Government should continue to assist MCC in ensuring that it understands that MCC remains in its due diligence phase and that MCC will only invest in Sri Lanka when it is convinced that the investment will deliver sufficient returns in terms of poverty reduction and economic growth, he added.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka assures that the current economic downturn will ease and the market will stabilize soon.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard Cabraal stated that while the rupee may depreciate in efforts made to give it more flexibility, it could also result in advantages to the country, such as increase in the foreign flow, and in turn, development expected in other sectors.
Taking these issues into consideration, the Central Bank is ready to take decisions according to the challenges that may arise in the future, he emphasized.
The move to devalue the Sri Lankan rupee was aimed at improving macroeconomic stability as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in years, he added.
The central bank earlier in the week introduced a flexible exchange rate framework, which saw the rupee depreciate by around 30% to 260 rupees against the dollar on Thursday.
“The decision to impose a flexible exchange rate has caused challenges but we are confident these can be managed,” Cabraal said in a short video uploaded on Facebook.
“However, it was a step taken to maintain macroeconomic stability and ensure financial system consistency,” he added.
Sri Lanka’s staple food prices shot up by at least 10-30 rupees each on Friday (11) evening, following a rupee devaluation in the country to control a forex crisis as global commodity prices rose due to Russian-Ukraine war.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) allowed a flexible exchange rate on Tuesday (07) which has resulted in a 17-percent depreciation in the currency so far.
Dealers said the rupee was quoted around 260/75 against the USD on Friday
The price increase is expected to raise inflation which is already at a record high of 15.1 percent by February 2022, a 14-year high.
Following the devaluation, the country saw commodity prices soar including the price of medicine and air tickets. Three-wheel fares also went up.
“Everything has increased. Tell me what has not increased? Today itself flour, bakery items and diesel and petrol increased,” S.M.D Suriyakumara, Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) Chairman,said.
Bread, a staple food of Sri Lanka, will be increased by 30 rupees from March 12 and other bakery products too will be increased by 10 rupees each along with rice packets.
“We don’t have any alternatives in Sri Lanka at present to wheat flour,” N K Jayawardene, the president of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association said. “
One of the largest wheat millers, Serendib Flour Mills, has increased the price by 35 rupees according to reports.
Some staff canteens on tender services have decided to reduce the size of the food to stay competitive to manage price shocks.
Rice packets will be increased by 20 rupees and Kottu by 10 rupees while other short eats will be increased by 5 rupees.
Rice packets can be bought at different prices from 150 to 400 rupees in wayside shops, so everything will now go up by 20 rupees.
Egg prices which already rose during the December festival season are trading between 27-28 rupees in the local groceries. Poultry and egg producers have not announced a price increase yet but said they are in discussion to do so.
Sugar wholesalers in the Colombo Pettah market said on Friday that they sold a kilo of white sugar at 190 rupees whereas on the previous day it was at 170 rupees per kilo.
“Everything is going to rise. Rice will increase by 15 rupees; flour has increased by 40 rupees; dhal will increase by 30 rupees, and sugar will rise by 20 rupees traders
