The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has decided to maintain the prices of 10 essential food items at a fixed rate, in order to facilitate the consumers to purchase essential food items at affordable prices.

The fixed prices are expected to be maintained for a period of 6 months, Minister of Trade, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said on Saturday (Jan. 02).

The 10 essential food items including rice, flour, sugar, lentils, onions, chickpeas, sprats, and canned fish will be sold to consumers at a fixed price for a period of six months.

Tenders will be called in the coming days from suppliers who are able to supply essential food items at fixed prices, the Minister further added.

The program will be operational with effect from next month, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce noted.

The particular essential food items are expected to be sold to consumers through Sathosa and Co-operative outlets islandwide, Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena noted.