• Prices of essential ingredients exorbitantly increased

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama 

Due to the increase in the prices of essential ingredients used to make lunch parcels exorbitantly in the local market, the selling prices of lunch parcels have been increased, All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Chief Asela Sampath said. 

He told the Daily Mirror that the prices of cooking ingredients had increased in the local market on a daily basis.  

He said there are several groups that are behind increasing prices of essential commodities daily in view to gain higher profits without paying any taxes to the government. As a result, the poor consumers have become the victims. The price of an egg has increased to Rs. 33, coconut oil to Rs. 1,100 a kilo, dhal to Rs.400 a kilo, and chilli powder to Rs.1,400 a kilo. Therefore, the canteen owners have to increase the price of a lunch packet to cope with the increase in the price of the ingredients. 

People used to have plain tea (Rs.30) and a parata (Rs. 20) for Rs. 50 at a time. The price increase of ingredients will cause an increase in the prices of plain-tea and food items such as parata soon. 

• The price of an egg has increased to Rs. 33, coconut oil to Rs. 1,100 a kilo, dhal to Rs.400 a kilo, and chilli powder to Rs.1,400 a kilo