Minister Bathiudeen, joined by the Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was addressing the press briefing on latest developments of consumer price relief given by the recent interim budget of the government of President Maithripala Sirisena at the auditorium of the Finance Ministry in Colombo on 23 March.

“We highlighted in the interim budget to reduce the Cement prices –but the one thing the consumers repeatedly mentioning is that even though we repeatedly announced this, it never went to the markets and they did not receive it” said Minister Karunanayake, and added: “Now we are happy to announce that the Cement industry representatives here agreed to a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Rs 870.00 for 50 Kg bag to be implemented. We are also introducing an innovative pricing for cement - the ex-factory selling price of Cement Corporation’s cement has now been agreed at 760.00 and Singha brand cement at 770.00 for the same size of cement bag for bulk purchases. I thank them for being innovating and help us to pursue national policies. Our intention is that the consumer gets the best prices, value for money. As for canned/tin fish prices, we are attempting to safeguard the local industry as well. A locally canned tin fish will be sold by LAK SATHOSA at 109.00, for 425 Gram can. All these prices are effective with immediate effect. I thank Minister Bathiudeen to help facilitate the Finance Ministry in this.”

Minister Bathiudeen, addressing the press briefing, said: “The interim budget of our government aimed at giving relief to consumers. We thank the industry and suppliers for coming forward and supporting our initiative to give relief to our suffering consumers. We call more industries and suppliers to support our relief efforts.”