Colombo (News 1st) – The All Island Restaurant Owners Association has stressed the need for a control price on Rice Packets, Bread, Tea and other food items in the face of the increasing prices of goods and services.

According to the All-Island Restaurant Owners’ Association, there are about 500,000 eateries operating across the island. They point out that food items there are sold at various prices at these shops.

The association states that the average retail price of a Hopper is about Rs. 20 , the retail price of a cup of tea is Rs. 25 and the average retail price of a packet of rice being above Rs. 150.

Chairman of the All Island Restaurant Owners Association, Asel Sampath states that before the officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority issues statements with regard to the prices of food items, the restaurant owners association is ready to suggest prices for regulating the food prices.

He suggests the following prices as the average retail price for the specific food items:

Hopper  – Rs. 15

cup of Milk tea – Rs. 40

Lunch packet – Rs. 140

Asel Sampath stated that with this regulatory price control, a lunch pack would cost the same in Polonnaruwa as that of Colombo.