The Cabinet on last Monday (21) gave its deep thought to the sharp rise of the Cost of Living (CoL) and given the nod to a string of remedial measures proposed by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana, Co – Cabinet spokesman, Plantation Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

Accordingly, in a set of recommendations to be put in place to bring down the CoL in the country at a stable rate on all state agencies involved in food production, processing, import and distribution would ensure the continuous supply of food items to the market without shortage.

Pay special attention on the goods categories of which in short supply at the moment and escalated the price while maintaining a fixed local policy and limitation of imports only to essential subsidiaries so that the farmer can be encouraged once again for food production and cultivation, Minister Pathirana added.

Preparation of a methodology for the consumers to obtain goods at a reasonable price by imposing a proper price for the productions of farmers, since the price of the goods is escalating due to the influence of the mediators.

Establishment of a seed bank as a remedy to the shortage of high standard seed categories that can be cultivated locally as well as for the conservation of local seed categories. Implementation of an efficient distribution methodology for the consumers to purchase products such as vegetable and fruits at a reasonable price across the regulation of price.

In order to control the escalation of prices of chicken and eggs due to total stoppage of importing corn as raw material for the production of poultry food, permission has been granted to import wheat subject to temporary import licenses as a substitute for corn.

Accordingly, implementation of an appropriate programme by the responsible institutions for the provision of required lands, seeds, fertilizer and technology to increase corn cultivation in the country.

The Fisheries corporation shall increase their outlets to enable the consumers to purchase fish at a reasonable price while the 40 new outlets which have been planned to open, will start functioning soon.

Immediate measures should be taken to increase the local milk production while implementing a programme to educate dairy farmers and provide the technical know-how.

Implementation of coconut marketing programmes by the ministry of plantation in the populated towns, so that the consumers would be able to purchase coconuts at fair and reasonable prices, since the price of coconut has increased, Minister Pathirana noted. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)