COLOMBO (News 1st): The Commissioner General of Essential Services, Maj. Gen. Senarath Nivunhella, has requested all District Secretaries and the IGP to purchase stocks of paddy, rice and sugar and provide them to the people at concessionary prices and to make necessary interventions in each district and report to him regularly.

The Commissioner General of Essential Services states this in a letter addressed to the IGP, all Government Agents, the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Food Commissioner.

It states that the President has issued an order under Section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance to prevent the concealment of essential stocks including paddy, rice, sugar, at high prices which causes inconvenience to the public.

Accordingly, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Major General Senarath Nivunhella has ordered that stocks of illegally stockpiled food be purchased at Government guaranteed prices or at prices imported by the Customs and made available to the public at reasonable prices.

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