A ship carrying 4,000 metric tons of gas belonging to Litro has arrived at the Colombo Port.

The company stated in a statement that it has begun distributing gas islandwide.

It is reported that there is a shortage of gas in many parts of the island at present.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to remove the previous control price for sugar.

Accordingly, it is reported that a Gazette Notification will be issued in the future removing the control price of Rs.122 per kilogram of white sugar and Rs.125 per kilogram of brown sugar.

The government has decided to allow the private sector to import rice.

This decision was taken during a discussion between Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and importers of essential commodities yesterday (02).

The Sugar Importers' Association stated that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has agreed to provide the required dollars to release 976 containers of dhal, sugar, potatoes, onions, and other essential items currently stranded at the port.

A spokesman for the association stated that after a discussion with the Finance Minister yesterday that USD 16 million would be allocated for this purpose.

Meanwhile, cement importers also met Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. A representative of a cement company who was present at the event stated that the shortage of cement would end within another three weeks or a month.