Public bear the brunt as prices of numerous items soar

• Prima Ceylon (Pvt) Limited and Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd  to increase the price of wheat flour by Rs. 38
• Prices of all bakery products, including bread, increased from tonight
• A kilo of chicken would increase to Rs.1,000

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

In the wake of the fuel price hike by Lanka IOC, many sectors were compelled to increase prices of respective goods and services, including wheat flour, medicines, bakery items, tuk-tuk, bus and school van fares.  Prima Ceylon (Pvt) Limited and Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd have decided to increase the price of wheat flour by Rs. 38 yesterday due to the highest depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar.   

All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardene said the bakery owners also decided to increase the prices of all bakery products, including the price of a loaf of bread, from last night, due to the increase in the price of a kilo of wheat flour by the flour companies.  

Accordingly, the price of a loaf of bread (450g) will be increased to a price between Rs. 20 and Rs. 30, while the price of a bun will increase by Rs. 10.  

The main flour-providing companies have increased their prices from yesterday by Rs. 38 per kilo. “We got our flour stock at a price of Rs.159 per kilo. Earlier, we used to get the flour stock at a price of Rs.38 per kilo,” he said. All ingredients used in the production of bakery items will be increased sharply.  

Therefore, the association has decided to increase all bakery products, including bread, starting tonight, he said.  
Meanwhile, All Island Canteen Owners’ Association Chairman Asela Sampath said the price of lunch packets was increased yesterday due to the highest depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar and the shortage of the LP gas cylinders.  

Accordingly, the price of a lunch packet has been increased by Rs. 30. The price of a Kottu will also be increased.  
“The price of a kilo of chicken would increase to Rs.1,000. The price of an egg will be increased to Rs. 30. A kilo of coconut oil costs Rs. 720. After increasing the price of lunch packets, sales will gradually drop. The country is to celebrate International Consumers’ Day on March 15. By that day, the consumers will be hungry, in the dark and in queues,” he said.  

While commenting on the issue the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) said that the three-wheeler fare should be increased,   

AITWDU President Lalith Dharmasekera said that they have decided to increase the fare of the second km to Rs.50.  

Earlier, we introduced Rs. 80 and Rs. 45 for the first and second km to protect the three-wheeler industry, he said.  
The All Island School Van Operators’ Association (AISVOA) yesterday said that they are compelled to increase the school van fares as soon as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increases its prices.  
They said they are unable to continue with the service due to the unavailability of diesel.  

We have to stay in the queues for a long time to refuel, which is a waste of valuable time.  

However, once the CPC increases its prices, we have no other option but to increase the school van fare. We are reluctant to land the burden on the parents, but in reality, we have to take this decision,” the association added.  
The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) and the Inter-Provincial Private Bus Owners’ Association (IPPBOA) yesterday claimed that they will go for a 50 per cent total bus fare increase if CPC diesel prices increased.  

Therefore, the LPBOA and IPPBOA said the government should seek immediate solutions to the price increase of these essential commodities.  

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne and IPPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said that they could not refuel their buses from Lanka IOC filling stations due to the increase in fuel prices. 

 
The government should immediately implement the programme allowing people to get the required diesel from the depots owned by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).  

However, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) Convener and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said the fuel price of CPC is to be increased after Monday (14) as soon as the queues at fuel stations and power cuts are over.  

He told the Daily Mirror that the reason for not increasing the fuel prices is that the government fears that public agitation might intensify further.   But the government is trying to get the situation under control. As soon as the situation is under control, the fuel price hike will hit the stage.   The Lanka IOC’s fuel prices were increased by 10 and 15 per cent while keeping people in fuel queues. The CPC knew that after the LIOC price increase, the whole income would come to them.   The CPC will not hesitate to raise fuel prices, even if it means keeping people in lines. However, there will be a definite fuel hike after Monday, he said. 

• The government is trying to get the situation under control
• Fuel price of CPC is to be increased after Monday
• The price of a loaf of bread (450g) will be increased to a price between Rs. 20 and Rs. 30, while the price of a bun will increase by Rs. 10