Sufficient sugar stocks in SL to meet demand

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister of Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna says that there are sufficient stocks of Sugar in the market to meet the local demand. When inquired by News 1st as to whether there is a shortage of Sugar in the country, State Minister Alagiyawanna pointed out that at present there are about 75,000 metric tons of sugar in the country. According to the State Minister, only 45,000 metric tons of Sugar is required per month for consumption in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, consumers have complained that Sugar is being sold in the local market at excessive prices above the Government imposed control price for Sugar. They point out that 1 kilogram of White Sugar is sold for more than Rs. 130 rupees; while the Maximum Retail Price of one kilogram of unpacketed White Sugar at the set control price currently stands at Rs. 122. The Maximum Retail Price of one kilogram of Brown Sugar is Rs. 125. State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna noted that island wide raids are being carried out to arrest those who sell Sugar at prices exceeding the set control price.