(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –The Ministry of Trade is preparing to request the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to provide the necessary funds for the release of containers containing essential goods stranded at the port.
The decision was taken by the Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena during the discussion held yesterday with the Association of Importers of Essential Commodities.
At present more than 1,500 containers are piled up at the port. These include a large number of containers containing essential food items, including lentils, rice, sugar, grams, and chilies.
It was reported that about a thousand containers belonged to large scale importers of essential food items. Accordingly, the union has pointed out to Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena that the containers could get released from the port if they are provided with dollars soon.
Minister Gunawardena further stated that a request will be made today from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to expedite the supply of dollars to the importers to get the containers of essential food items released from the port.
