Cabraal reassures on ample food stock; GL says traders creating artificial shortage

Saturday, 4 September 2021 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday reassured people that there was ample food stock in the country for the foreseeable future.

The assurance comes after public fear of shortage as well as international media spotlight on imposition of emergency regulations to tackle the food crisis.

“We have food and ample stocks. Absolutely there is no shortage for the foreseeable future,” Money, Capital Market and Public Enterprises Reform State Minister Nivard Cabraal told journalists yesterday.

He said as a responsible Government, it had to invoke laws to deal with unscrupulous traders who were trying to make a fast buck holding stocks secretly.

“What we see is not a genuine shortage,” added Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at a briefing along with Cabraal at the Government Information Department.

Cabraal also emphasised that it was to ensure the country has enough foreign exchange earnings amidst the pandemic to buy essential food items that the Government slapped a ban on the import of vehicles since mid-2020.

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