• Importers assure no festive season shortages or price increases
• CAA launches daily islandwide raids from 20 March
• Govt warns of 15–20% rise, vows price controls if needed

The Government observed some wholesale distributors have raised prices of selected items citing the Middle East (ME) conflict, despite importers agreeing to release essential goods without price increases for the festive season, the Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry said.

Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana told The Daily Morning yesterday (25) that recent discussions with importers ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year confirmed there are no supply shortages or barriers to maintaining current prices.

“The importers informed us there are no obstacles to supplying goods during the festive season and they are releasing goods to the market without increasing prices,” he said.

However, he noted the Ministry had identified unusual price increases by some wholesale distributors, particularly under the pretext of higher costs linked to the ME conflict.

“Part of the increase could be due to higher transportation costs, but we observe that some distributors have added an additional amount beyond what could be justified as transport expenses,” he said.

According to Jayawardhana, wholesalers have agreed to sell previously imported stocks at original prices, with any increases limited to newly imported consignments. Nevertheless, reports have emerged of essential food items being sold at inflated rates.

In response, the Ministry has instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to take action, with islandwide emergency raids underway since 20 March.

“Emergency raids are being carried out daily across the country,” he said, adding that stricter enforcement will continue if irregular pricing persists.

He warned that prices could rise by 15-20 per cent if current global conditions continue, but stressed that the Government is prepared to intervene.

“If prices rise excessively, we will impose maximum prices. However, such a situation has not yet arisen,” he said.

Jayawardhana further said the Government is working to ensure the availability of essential goods at reasonable prices during the festive period, noting that the CAA has already stepped in to regulate unfair market practices.

Demand for essential goods typically increases during the New Year season, driving heightened market activity. This year, concerns have been compounded by the ME conflict, which has affected global shipping routes, fuel prices, and transport costs.

Despite these pressures, the Government maintains that the country has sufficient stocks of imported goods for approximately three weeks, with additional orders already placed.

“The importers have confirmed that there are adequate stockpiles. The only shortfall is in preserved fish products such as dried fish and dried anchovy, as around 75 per cent of these are imported from Iran. We are taking steps to source them from alternative countries,” he said.

He also assured that there has been no widespread stockpiling by consumers, attributing this to the steady supply of essential goods.

On rice supplies, Jayawardhana said that market prices have not yet reached the maximum ceiling, but are expected to approach it closer to the festive season.

“To prevent any shortage, we have initiated plans to procure paddy through the Paddy Marketing Board and release 5,000 metric tonnes of rice through Lanka Sathosa,” he said.

Addressing concerns over a possible sugar shortage, he said that Lanka Sugar Company’s Pelwatta and Sevanagala factories currently hold over 2,000 metric tonnes of sugar, with further imports planned.

“There will be no shortage of sugar during the festive season,” he assured.

The Ministry’s assurance comes/ amid growing public concern, including discussions on social media and at media briefings, over the availability and pricing of essential goods in the lead-up to the New Year.