• Price of a bag of cement has gone above the fixed prices
• A cement mafia has been created by cement dealers while making it as an essential commodity among the people​

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

The country is currently facing an acute shortage of three metric tons of cement for the construction industry, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) Chairman Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi said.   

Due to the recent pandemic situation in the country, the manufacturing capacity and import of cement have declined. Therefore, the required building material was not released to the local market, resulting in a scarcity.  
During the past year, seven metric tons of cement were used for construction in the country. Therefore, it left a deficit of three metric tons that are needed for the current construction activities.  
As the construction association, we can say that currently the country is faced with a massive shortage of cement in the local market.  
“Due to the shortage, the price of a bag of cement has gone above the fixed prices. The price regulatory authorities do not attempt to mark a controlled price on it. 22,000 metric tons (440,000 bags) of cement were imported by Tuesday (25). Another shipment of 9,200 Metric Tones (200,000 bags) was imported. Those are being released to the market with a fixed price of Rs.1,575, but those will be sold in excess of Rs.2,000 per bag. Certain areas do not have cement, even if we have to pay a higher price,” Mr. Liyanarachchi lamented.   A cement mafia has been created by  cement dealers while making it as an essential commodity among the people, he said.  
According to the price regulatory authority Act, the vendors cannot stock cement. They should be released for people’s needs, Mr. Liyanarachchi added.