The Chairman of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association N.K.Jayawardene said that 750 to 1000 bakeries had found it difficult to continue their operations due to the present gas shortage.

These bakeries which turn out bread using gas had not been able to produce other bakery products as well.

With 90% of the new bakeries making use of gas for making bread and in the face of the cost of ingredients used in the production of bread being on the high side, a shortage of gas had put them into a difficult situation, Jayawardene said further.

He added that it is the responsibility of the government to grant relief measures to the bakery owners without any delay. (Mahinda Nissanka)