 Meals and bakery product prices to increase The Sri Lanka Canteen Owners’ Association (SLCOA) yesterday (26) said the prices of lunch packets, short eats, and all bakery products would be increased considering the recent price hike of all essentials. Speaking to The Morning, SLCOA President Asela Sampath stressed that the prices of all essentials including rice, dhal, and coconut oil had been increased dramatically, and it was difficult to continue to provide proper lunch packets for the previous prices. “Since oil prices have also been increased, the prices of all short eats and other food items such as kottu would also increase,” he said. Stressing the need for the reopening of restaurants and eateries, Sampath noted that even though the country was reopened after relaxing the curfew, people did not have a proper place to eat or even to drink a cup of tea. “Authorities should take the necessary steps to monitor the cleanliness of these places and to let them also function,” he noted. When asked about the percentage or the expected price to be increased, the SLCOA noted that the decision would be taken following a thorough evaluation of the prices of all essentials, and that a final decision had not been taken as yet. By Maheesha Mudugamuwa