Nearly 30,000 metric tons of hoarded sugar found in warehouses were confiscated by the Government following investigations and operations carried out on September 1, Commissioner General of Essential Services, Major General N.D.S.P. Niwunhella said.
The seized sugar stocks are currently being sold at state and private traders’ outlets at a controlled price.
The Government reduced the import duty of Rs.50 per kilo of sugar to 25 cents per kilo from October 14, 2020 to provide relief to the consumers. The volume of sugar stored in the country at that time was 88,878 metric tons, the office of the Essential Services Commissioner stated.
According to the Consumer Affairs Authority, (CAA) 584,000 metric tons of sugar were imported between October 14, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The monthly demand for sugar in the country is around 35,000 metric tons.
However, data from the CAA revealed that sugar imports have exceeded the annual requirement. An attempt has been made in the recent past to create an artificial shortage of sugar in the country and to sell sugar at a very high price, causing great inconvenience to the consumer.
As per the powers vested in terms of the section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared emergency regulations formulated as per the section 5 on essential food supply, with effect from midnight of August 30, 2021, by enforcing directives under the section ii of the Ordinance.
Accordingly, the President took measures to appoint a Commissioner General of Essential Services and gave him the authority to coordinate the supply of paddy, rice, sugar and other consumer goods that are essential to maintain the livelihood of the people.
The confiscated stocks were released to the market at a fixed price. An Extraordinary Gazette Notification was issued imposing maximum retail price for sugar with effect from September 2.
* White sugar (packed ) MRP Rs. 125
* White (unpacked) MRP Rs. 122
* Brown sugar( packed ) MRP Rs. 128
* Brown ( unpacked) MRP Rs. 125