COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers have once again granted approval to import eggs.
Trade Minister Nalin Fernando speaking to News 1st said the Cabinet granted approval to his proposal on Monday (9).
He said eggs will be imported before the end of the week from India, and the distribution will be handed over to the private sector, while Lanka Sathosa will be involved in the sale of eggs.
The government decided to import eggs as a solution to address the high prices of eggs, as the local price of an egg is between Rs. 60/- to Rs. 70/-.
However, in early January the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association warned that if the government goes ahead with its decision to import eggs, the local producers would step away from the industry.
The Chairman of the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association speaking to News 1st said that importing eggs would put the local industry at risk.
In December 2022, as a solution to the high price of eggs, a special program was launched by the Government to sell eggs at the price of Rs. 55/ in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.
Eggs were sold for Rs. 55/- at the Fort Railway Station, Dematagoda, Slave Island, Dehiwala, Battaramulla, Nugegoda, Maharagama, Meegoda Economic Center, Narahenpita Economic Center, Torrington, and Homagama.
In addition, eggs were sold for Rs. 55/- in Wattala, Ja-Ela, Ragama, Negombo, Kiribathgoda, Kadawatha, and Peliyagoda.
This was a joint program by the Sri Lankan government and the Egg Producers Association.
Sri Lanka’s eggs were around 20 to 25 rupees before the rupee collapsed from 200 to 360 to the US dollar.