• Rice and curry pack hiked by Rs. 25
• Bakery owners struggle to find LPG
•  Hotel industry in talks over possible price hikes

The food industry is reeling in the wake of the recent fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price hikes, with businesses grappling to contain the fallout. 

Food industry associations across the country are actively taking measures to address the situation, The Daily Morning learns. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), President of All Ceylon Canteen Owners' Association, Harshana Rukshan, announced that canteens across the country would see a price hike starting today (12). 

"Fried rice, kottu, and rice and curry packets will be increased by Rs. 25, short eats by Rs. 10, egg hoppers by Rs. 10, hoppers by Rs. 5, a plain tea by Rs. 5, and a milk tea by Rs. 10 as of midnight yesterday (11)," he said. "We also assure that we will be decreasing the prices immediately once the energy prices go down," he concluded.

Further, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday, Coordinating Secretary of All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association, Anil Hettiarachchi stated the industry is facing significant challenges due to difficulties in accessing energy sources. 

"It is hard to find LPG despite the price hike. Since the petrol sheds have been asked not to issue fuel to cans, we cannot operate the machines that run on diesel or kerosene," he explained. "However, our committee has not decided on any price hike for the food items as of now. Yet, we are urging the Government to solve these issues," he added. 

Hettiarachchi also noted that the Association has verbally informed the Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Minister of the issue and has requested that measures be taken to address it.

Also, the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) too has not yet taken any decision to increase the prices of food items. When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday, Manager of Leisure Sector at THASL, Chamathka Mallikaarachchi, confirmed that no price hikes are currently planned. "Discussions are going on internally, yet the management has not been informed of any price hike yet," she said.

The concerns over food prices come on the heels of the recent increase in energy costs.