• Approval on egg imports still pending   

 The Government is working towards reducing the prices of goods by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season in April, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando said.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media following an event held yesterday (7). 

“When considering the people’s income levels, the cost of goods is still high; therefore, we will work towards reducing the prices of goods. I think that by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, there is a great possibility for the reduction in the prices of goods.”

In response to a question posed by the media on the importation of eggs from India, Fernando noted that while all preparations have been made for the same, the approval from the relevant company was pending. “The Cabinet of Ministers decided to import eggs as a matter of policy. At tomorrow’s (8) relevant sub-committee meeting headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, we will discuss why the said Cabinet decision is not enforced. However, once we obtain the approval from the said company, we will begin importing eggs within two days.” 

Following a proposal presented to the Cabinet last month for the importation of eggs as a means to control the rise in prices, the Cabinet granted its approval for the same. International tenders for the importation of eggs were also called from 7 January. However, President Wickremesinghe ordered the submission of a complete report to the Cabinet on the parties that do not grant the necessary approval for the importation of eggs citing various reasons.

Fernando could not be contacted despite multiple attempts.