The Sri Lankan Ministry of Trade has issued a special gazette notification to prevent the concealment of stocks of essential commodities including paddy, rice, sugar, milk powder and maize.

The gazette notification issued on Friday by the Consumer Affairs Authority orders those maintaining stocks of essential commodities including paddy, rice, sugar, milk powder, and maize to register with the Authority providing accurate and factual information on their inventory within a week, ColomboPage reported.

After the gazette notification, it will not be possible to maintain wholesale stores without registration with the Consumer Affairs Authority and if such stores are maintained, the Consumer Affairs Authority will take action against them, trade minister Bandula Gunawardena said at a media briefing.

The minister said the government has taken steps to keep the price of a kilo of rice below Rs. 100 by taking positive steps banning the importation of rice, providing water and fertilizer free of charge and increasing the guaranteed price for paddy from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 per kilo.

(SAM)