Rumours of increased canned fish prices baseless – Ravi

Media reports of the price of canned fish going up are baseless and have no basis in fact, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

Speaking to the media, the Minister said measures have been taken only to ensure Sri Lankan customers have access to high quality canned fish.

“There is no increase whatsoever. There was a reduction in quality [of canned fish imported] from China and other countries, with more water content than fish content. [The Ministry of Fisheries] requested a standardisation from the Ministry of Finance. We offered them a solution,” said Minister Karunanayake.

Rumours...

The price has not been increased in any Cabinet paper, he said, adding that if there is any change in price, consumers can check with the Ministry. 

“We have reduced Rs. 100 for an import can; and through the Budget, we have encouraged local production. We still have that, and there is no change in prices. We don’t want to add any burden on innocent consumers. We have given priority to safeguarding local manufacturers. That is something we should do. All we have done here is standardise and put limitations on anything below standard and harmful to consumers,” he explained.